Gracing this issue’s cover is Spanish Renew Europe deputy Jordi Cañas. With the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement negotiations approaching the finish line, Parliament’s rapporteur tells reporter Ana Gallego why this may be the last chance to seal a deal with the South American trade bloc.
We also look at the EU’s upcoming strategy to tackle methane emissions. Discussing how the wide-ranging strategy can reduce methane - which is more than 80 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than CO2 - are the European Parliament’s lead rapporteur on the file, Maria Spyraki, ITRE Committee chair, Cristian-Silviu Buşoi AGRI Committee rapporteur, Asger Christensen and S&D shadow rapporteur Marcos Ros Sempere.
Previewing this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March, are Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli, co-president of the European Parliament’s Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup, Evin Incir, LIBE Committee member Tineke Strik and Policy Advisor at advocacy group, European Digital Rights, Sarah Chander.
We also have MEPs Victor Negrescu and Jordi Cañas writing ahead of Autism Awareness Day on 2 April, with both deputies calling for a more strategic EU-level approach to managing the condition.
Elsewhere, Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, sets out why she believes her country’s future lies in the EU, while DEVE Committee vice-chair Erik Marquardt raises concerns over the ongoing crisis in the Moria refugee camp on Lesbos.
And, in a Parliament Magazine exclusive, we reveal the results of our recent MEP opinion poll on threats to their personal safety.
Finally, answering our five questions this issue is Finnish Greens/EFA deputy Alviina Alametsä.