Opening 11-12 November Plenary: Parliament Honors Victims
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola opened the November mini-plenary session in Brussels with a minute's silence for victims of four recent tragedies. MEPs vote Thursday on a new Vice-President and have until midnight to challenge four negotiating mandates.
The European Parliament opened its 11-12 November plenary session in Brussels on Wednesday, November 11, with a minute's silence for victims of a Bulgarian motorway crash, a shooting in Krakow, a racist attack in France and a train collision in Spain.
President Roberta Metsola began the mini-plenary by marking Armistice Day. She said: "we remember the millions whose lives were cut short, the families left waiting, and a generation forever changed." She also honored Solange Alexandre, a French resistance fighter who died recently.
Tributes to victims
Metsola offered condolences, on behalf of Parliament, to families of those killed in a series of multi-vehicle crashes on Bulgaria's Trakia Motorway. She thanked rescue services, medical teams and people who donated blood.
She also addressed the October 28, 2026 train collision in Urda, Spain, which left 69 people dead and dozens injured. "We share in their grief and wish all those injured a swift and full recovery," she said, thanking emergency crews who worked at the scene.
On Krakow, Metsola said: "We were all shocked and appalled at the shooting in Krakow's Main Market Square last Saturday afternoon." Six people died and more were injured. She thanked police officers who acted quickly and bravely to stop the attacker.
She then turned to the attack in Trappes and La Verrière, France, in late October. An innocent man died and several others were hurt, including a twelve-year-old girl. Metsola paid tribute to the victim, Pengo Bossio Wangi.
"No one should be targeted because of the colour of their skin, their origins, or their religion," she said. "Racism has no place in our Europe."
Vice-President vote Thursday
Nicolae Ștefănuță has decided to step down as one of Parliament's Vice-Presidents. Members will vote on Thursday on his replacement in the Parliament's Bureau as its eleventh Vice-President. Two candidates are standing.
Negotiating mandates
Four committee groupings have decided to open talks with other EU institutions under Rule 72, paragraph 1 of Parliament's Rules of Procedure. The reports concern:
Monitoring and controlling drug precursors, handled by the INTA and LIBE committees, with rapporteurs Bay (ECR) and Sienkiewicz (EPP). Establishing Global Europe, handled by AFET and DEVE, with Gahler (EPP) and Biedron (S&D).
The Justice Programme 2028-2034, handled by JURI and LIBE, with Strik (Greens/EFA) and Bžoch (PfE). Union support for internal security for 2028 to 2034, handled by LIBE, with Kanko (ECR) as rapporteur.
Under Rule 72, paragraph 2, members or political groups reaching at least the medium threshold can ask in writing for the decisions to be put to a plenary vote. The deadline is Thursday, November 12, at 24:00. If no request arrives, the committees may start negotiations.
