European Parliament:
Jytte Guteland (S&D, SE) left the European Parliament on 25 September in hopes of continuing her work on climate issues at home, closer to her party, as she disclosed in an April 2022 interview with the Nordic Labour Journal. A parliamentary formation is currently underway in Sweden. Results of the formation are expected to be announced by 4 October. Jessica Stegrud (ECR, SE) also left the European Parliament on 25 September.
Isabel Carvalhais (S&D, PT) replaced Manuel Pizarro (S&D, PT) as the Socialist and Democrats Coordinator and Shadow representative for the Committee on Fisheries (PECH) on 20 September. Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionid (EPP, GR) joined the Committee of Inquiry to Investigate the use of Pegasus and Equivalent Surveillance Spyware as a substitute on 22 September (PEGA). Antoni Comín i Oliveres (Non-Attached, ES) joined the Delegation to the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (D-ACP) as a substitute on 27 September.
National Governments:
In Sweden the Moderates, Christian Democrats, Sweden Democrats and Liberals joined in coalition to claim victory over the centre-left in the 11 September national election. Leading the newly elected coalition is Moderates party leader Ulf Kristersson.
Following the national election, Kristersson met with Speaker Andreas Norlén to discuss the next steps in forming a government. Speaker Norlén instructed Kristersson to submit an interim report by 5 October outlining the results from the ongoing internal negotiations within the coalition pertaining to the makeup of the new government. While the right-wing bloc has a clear majority, forming a government will require internal party appointments and parliamentary elections held in Sweden’s legislature, the Riksdag. Party group leaders were presented at the first meeting of the 2022/2023 Riksdag session held on 27 September. The Riksdag also appointed a Nominations Committee, members of which will be tasked with proposing members of parliamentary committees. A full list of party appointees and Nominations Committee appointees may be found here. Parliamentary committees are set to be elected by the newly appointed Nominations Committee by 4 October.
The week, in short:
Members of the European Parliament will meet in Strasbourg this week. A final draft agenda confirming key debates and votes may be found here.
Ministers of the Eurogroup met on 3 October in Luxembourg. Joined by the Secretary-General of the OECD, the Eurogroup was scheduled to discuss the macroeconomic situation in the euro area, draft area priorities in the Recovery and Resilience Plans (RRPs) and prepare for the implementation of Euro Area Recommendations.
The Economic and Financial Affairs Council Configuration (ECOFIN) is scheduled to meet on 4 October. Ministers are expected to discuss issues relating to the economic and financial impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Ministers are also set to begin preparation for the G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors scheduled for 12-13 October 2022.
On 1 October, Latvia elected the members of the 14th Saeima. On 2 October, snap elections took place in Bulgaria to determine which of the 5,334 candidates will be nominated to the 48th National Assembly. A presidential election is scheduled to be held in Austria on 9 October. While the incumbent Alexander Van der Bellen is eligible to win another term as President, there are five other candidates also bidding for the seat.