Freedom Fighter Gets His Freedom Back (And a Speaking Gig)
In news that proves persistence actually pays off, journalist and Sakharov Prize winner Andrzej Poczobut has finally been sprung from a Belarusian prison. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola celebrated the release with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for surprise birthday parties, announcing that Poczobut will be taking the mic at June’s plenary session. One can only imagine he’ll have some stories to tell.
Metsola didn’t stop there, though, using the moment to give a shout-out to political prisoners worldwide who are still waiting for their own plot twists. “This Parliament will continue to speak out for them,” she declared, basically promising to be that friend who never stops texting your crush on your behalf.
Meanwhile, Back at Parliament HQ
Tuesday’s bringing an inaugural Order of Merit ceremony at 11:30, because apparently someone decided Europe needed its own awards show. The honor goes to “extraordinary individuals” who’ve championed European values—think Oscars, but with more policy discussions and fewer tearful speeches.
The agenda’s getting a makeover too. A new debate on “protecting public spaces” after an attack in Modena got squeezed in around 3 PM, followed by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas discussing America’s sudden military redeployment plans. Translation: the sitting’s now running until 11 PM. Someone order coffee.
Wednesday’s losing its “This is Europe” debate with Latvia’s PM Evika Siliņa, making room for riveting single market discussions starting at 9 AM sharp.
In the “people coming and going” department, Hungarian MEPs Péter Magyar and Zoltán Tarr are penciling in their exits for May 2026. Mark your calendars accordingly—or don’t.