The Conference of Presidents, meeting in Strasbourg on 16 July, with the aim of setting the agenda for the September plenary session and notably to decide on the timing of the vote on the President of the European Commission by the Parliament, has invited Mr Barroso to present his political programme to the Parliament on Tuesday 15 September before the vote, which should take place on Wednesday, 16 September.

During a debate on the situation in Honduras in the European Parliament this afternoon, Spanish GUE/NGL MEP Willy Meyer, who travelled to Honduras immediately after the recent coup d'état, reiterated his condemnation of the military coup and demanded the immediate restitution of elected President José Manuel Zelaya and the return to normal democracy.

Today, the French Minister for Budget Eric Woerth is scheduled to present the draft law for online gaming to the finance committee of the French Parliament. The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has already expressed strong reservations over key provisions of the draft law and its compatibility with EC Law, including limiting the pay back ratio (see link).

Brussels, 16 July 2009 - Caritas Europa and five Christian partner organisations (Christian Group) have sent their recommendations on the “Stockholm Programme” to the Swedish Presidency of the EU, the European Commission and the European Council.

This Programme is intended to be the EU’s legislative agenda in the area of justice and home affairs for the next five years. It will set up the framework for EU police and customs cooperation, rescue services, criminal and civil law cooperation, asylum, migration and visa policy.