As the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU enters its second week, the European institutions are undergoing a period of intense preparation rather than a time of high-profile votes. In Brussels, the European Parliament is holding a week of committee and political group meetings ahead of the Strasbourg plenary session scheduled for 19-22 January. During this session, MEPs will debate foreign and security policy, emerging risks (drones, new forms of warfare), air passenger rights, drug safety, EU-US relations, and technological sovereignty.
Monday, 12 January: Budgetary control and the housing crisis
The official schedule for the week (12–18 January 2026) immediately places the oversight of European funds at the forefront. On Monday 12 January, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) will meet at the European Parliament in Brussels for an exchange of views on the 2024 discharge of the EU budget regarding the Commission, with Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi and rapporteur Daniel Freund (Greens/EFA, Germany).
A few hours later, another issue emblematic of the new presidency will take center stage: from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union will hold a debate with Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing, on the Affordable Housing Plan adopted by the Commission. This hearing kicks off a series of sessions in which MEPs will question the European executive on the plan’s actual capacity to mobilize funding for social and affordable housing via the European Investment Bank and the Cohesion Funds—a key priority for the Cypriot Presidency.
A Cypriot Presidency focused on housing and social cohesion
In a briefing note on priority dossiers under the Cyprus EU Council Presidency, the European Parliament Research Service highlights that Cyprus has placed a “socially strong and cohesive Union” at the top of its agenda, paying “particular attention to affordable housing, which has gained importance at EU level, notably through the creation of a dedicated portfolio.” This priority is confirmed by public statements from the Cypriot government, which emphasizes the implementation of the European Affordable Housing Plan, anti-poverty measures, and the European Child Guarantee as the pillars of its six-month term.
According to an article in The Brussels Times on the incoming presidency, Nicosia aims to “promote the implementation of the European Plan for Affordable Housing,” linking it to a broader vision of an “autonomous Union that leaves no one behind.” European analysis platforms point out that this shift comes amid a housing crisis in many cities and view it as a potential doctrinal turning point: housing and other essential goods would no longer be considered solely as market products, but as common goods requiring European public frameworks.
Upcoming Strasbourg plenary: Security, passenger rights, and technological sovereignty
The week of 12–18 January is also a period of political coordination: parliamentary groups are meeting to define their positions ahead of the plenary session on 19–22 January. The document ‘The Week Ahead 12–18 January 2026,’ published by the press service, states that this plenary session will address, among other topics: the results of the December European Council, the EU’s foreign, security and defense policy, the need to adapt to new risks (particularly drones), the revision of air passenger rights, improving the availability and security of the medicine supply chain, and a report on technological sovereignty and European digital infrastructure.
MEPs will also debate the Cypriot Presidency’s program and attend a formal sitting in the presence of the King of Spain and the President of Portugal to mark the 40th anniversary of Spain and Portugal’s accession to the European Community. For left-wing forces, this moment provides an opportunity to raise a key question: how can the rise of a European defense policy be reconciled with maintaining robust budgets for social welfare, housing, health, and education?
The political role of the Parliament Presidency and the fundamental rights front
The agenda of Parliament President Roberta Metsola illustrates the institution’s growing diplomatic dimension. According to the same document, Metsola is due to meet King Philippe of Belgium in Brussels on Tuesday 13 January, receive the Director General of the Danish Chamber of Commerce, Brian Mikkelsen, on the 14th, and then conduct an official visit to Vienna on 15 and 16 January, where she will participate in a debate with students. These trips contribute to a narrative in which the Parliament presents itself as the voice of a Europe “of values,” even as concrete decisions on housing, migration, and defense remains fiercely contested.
Meanwhile, on the fundamental rights front, the Council of Europe is continuing its discreet but decisive work. On 6 January 2026, the Steering Committee for Human Rights (CDDH) adopted a document setting out “possible basic elements” for a future Chișinău Declaration on the European Convention on Human Rights and Migration, which was made public and analyzed by the ECHR Blog. This text reaffirms member states’ commitment to the Convention system and the authority of the Court, while expressing concerns about “irregular immigration,” the “instrumentalization of migration,” and the difficulties associated with the expulsion of individuals convicted of serious offenses—issues sparking heated debate among lawyers and NGOs regarding the direction of the future declaration.
Sources:
European Parliament – Weekly agenda (Brussels): Official agenda for the week of 12 to 18 January 2026 (committee meetings, political groups, preparation for the Strasbourg plenary session from 19 to 22 January).
European Parliament – Agenda 12–18 January 2026 (PDF): Details of meetings (CONT on the 2024 discharge, special committee on the housing crisis with Dan Jørgensen, preparatory debates on foreign policy, passenger rights, medicines, technological sovereignty).
EU Parliament publishes agenda for the week ahead 12–18 January 2026 (INSIGHT EU Monitoring): Summary in English of the parliamentary week, highlighting the Strasbourg plenary session from 19–22 January and the main issues under discussion.
European Parliament – Committees: Highlights from the committees (CONT, housing crisis, industrial policies, green transition) for the period from 12 to 15 January 2026.
European Parliament Research Service – Priority dossiers under the Cyprus EU Council Presidency: Summary note on Cyprus’ priorities, including the objective of a “socially strong and cohesive Union” and the promotion of affordable housing.
Priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU (IPEX/Council): Official note describing the three priorities of the Cyprus Presidency (strategic autonomy, openness, social cohesion) and the role of housing and the fight against poverty.
Cypriot Presidency of the European Union 2026 (Europe Against the Tide): Analysis article presenting the Cypriot Presidency’s programme, with a focus on the European Plan for Affordable Housing and the social dimension.
The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU (European Federations Network): Policy presentation of Cyprus’ priorities, emphasising social cohesion, affordable housing, the Child Guarantee and the implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact.
Cyprus unveils EU presidency priorities on security and cohesion (The Brussels Times): Article on the launch of the Cypriot presidency, citing the focus on security, social cohesion and affordable housing.
Social Europe – Cyprus takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU: Post presenting the priorities of the Presidency, including the social dimension and housing.
ECHR Blog – CDDH publishes elements for the Chișinău declaration on migration: Analysis of the document adopted on 6 January 2026 by the Steering Committee for Human Rights (CDDH) on the “possible basic elements” of the future Chișinău Declaration.
