European Parliament President Roberta Metsola opened the 18-21 May plenary session in Strasbourg, announcing the release of journalist and Sakharov Prize laureate Andrzej Poczobut from prison in Belarus. The session will feature a ceremony conferring the Order of Merit to individuals contributing to European integration. Changes to the agenda include discussions on EU governance and reduced US military deployment in Europe. Interinstitutional negotiations will proceed, and details about outgoing MEPs were shared. The session aims to continue advocating for political prisoners and upholding European values.