MEPs to hold second plenary in Brussels

Ukraine and a looming economic recession is set to dominate the upcoming Swedish EU presidency, which takes over at the start of next year. Sweden's ambassador to the EU, Lars Danielsson, laid out some of its priorities.

A senior French official is being accused of conflicts of interest for spearheading a leading role in Europeche, a fishing-industry lobby group based in Brussels. The hire comes as the EU Commission threatens a lawsuit against France over fishing.

The new rules, seemingly inspired by the Covid-19 recovery fund's structure, would have governments negotiate a four-year debt reduction path with the commission — and then have EU ministers give their green light on it.

EU lawmakers agreed to reconsider the costly renovation of the Spaak hemicycle in Brussels, but they are moving ahead with talks to acquire a new building in Strasbourg.

"The idea is not bad", said one minister, with others arguing that the parliament's proposals on transnational lists, common constituency, and possibly voting on a weekday are steps too far for the voters.

Some see the UK's turmoil as a result of Brexit. The UK and the EU are still locked in negotiations after London, under Truss' leadership, planned to upend existing agreements on post-Brexit trade in Northern Ireland.