EU Parliament plenary look ahead

Europe's energy security is at the forefront of next week’s Strasbourg plenary, with discussion on Monday on the prospects for renewable energy and a debate the following day on a common foreign policy on energy issues.

Parliament's Green group will argue against a common foreign policy on energy at a time when the EU cannot even decide a common foreign policy.

A stormy debate is expected on Tuesday over a resolution on a moratorium on capital punishment.

The proposed European day against the death penalty was stalled by Polish government resistance to the idea, which the Greens have called “nonsensical arguments”.

Plans for a European institute of technology (EIT) will also be debated on Tuesday.

The Socialist group is in favour of the project "as long as find new resources to fund it," according to a spokesman.

The Greens have warned that "an ill-conceived and poorly managed EIT could be worse than no EIT at all."

MEPs will also hold a debate on both legal and illegal immigration on Wednesday.

The idea of a 'blue card' to encourage the migration of skilled workers will receive the backing of parliament's ALDE group.

The Socialist group also supports the idea of encouraging skilled migrants but will emphasis the need for "efficient checks at borders."

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