Lawmakers grappled with how to ready Europe for drone-era warfare, reinforce social protections at home, and step up the EU’s campaign against the death penalty worldwide. The day also featured a slate of votes on security, technology and human rights files.

Adapting to drone warfare

MEPs coalesced around the need to scale EU production, cut reliance on foreign suppliers and set interoperable standards. Rapporteur Reinis Pozņaks warned that “around 60% of drone components come from the US or China,” underscoring a push for strategic partnerships and stockpiles 1. The Commission highlighted current backing for prototypes, stating “EUR 1 billion from the European Defence Fund is being used for drone and counter drone prototypes” 2. Members pointed to the scale gap, noting Ukraine’s output far outpaces Europe’s, and urged streamlined procurement, SME support and rapid certification 3.

Fault lines emerged on strategic alignment: The Left criticized what it sees as excessive reliance on NATO frameworks, while others pressed for deeper integration, including suggestions of moving toward a European army 4. The report proceeded to a vote later in the day 5.

Social rights: funding, enforcement and housing

Debate on a renewed Action Plan to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights centered on delivery and financing. The Commission trailed a package of initiatives and a new approach to tracking social investment in national plans, including “the minimum 14% social investment commitment” proposal for the next EU budget framework 6. S&D stressed rising hardship, warning that “one in five Europeans lives in poverty,” and one in four children 7. The EPP demanded tighter parliamentary oversight and measurable outcomes, cautioning against “blank checks to the Commission” 8. From the right, ECR figures pointed to youth exclusion and skills gaps, citing NEET rates as a driver for better education–labour market links 9.

A firmer line against the death penalty

The Commission reiterated the EU’s absolute opposition to capital punishment and flagged a sharp rise in recorded executions in 2024, driven mostly by Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia 10. S&D laid out priorities to embed abolition across EU external action, step up UN leadership on moratoria, boost support for civil society and avoid double standards 11. Others stressed state sovereignty in criminal law, while drawing a line at arbitrariness and repression 12. The Left pressed for consistency that also addresses retentionist allies such as the United States 13.

Votes and other business

Plenary voting included a motion of censure on the Commission 14; a resolution on the conviction and imminent sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong 15; the drones file referenced above 5; a text on European technological sovereignty and digital infrastructure 16; and a resolution on the brutal repression of protesters in Iran 17.

Taken together, the agenda underscored a Parliament steering between urgent security adaptation, social resilience at home and a steady human-rights posture abroad.