Americans are going to the polls to choose Joe Biden’s successor, in a climate of extreme polarisation in political life. This context is fuelling a real risk of institutional dysfunction. It is unlikely that the name of the winner, whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, will be known immediately after the count. On the contrary, a period of legal challenges seems likely, a .

Monday marks the start of the European Commissioners’ confirmation hearings before the European Parliament, with  (CSV/EPP) among the first to appear. A candidate for the post of agriculture commissioner, he will appear before MEPs from the Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Committees. Although the last two committees have been invited, their members will not take part in the confirmation vote, but will be able to ask questions.

The questions are likely to focus on Hansen’s vision for agriculture and food, a plan that he will have to draw up in the first 100 days of his mandate. His hearing also comes at a time of growing discontent among farmers, a subject that is sure to come up. Hansen should have the support of his political group, the EPP, which has a strong representation with 16 out of 27 commissioners, as well as a solid presence in the council, where fifteen agriculture ministers are affiliated to it.

The hearings will end on 12 November, and the final confirmation vote is scheduled for the plenary session from 25 to 28 November in Strasbourg. After a break for All Saints’ Day, work resumes in the Chamber of Deputies with the examination of the draft budget, presented successively to several committees: on 4 November, the committees on family, solidarity, living together and reception of refugees, gender equality, diversity and defence will open the discussions.

On 5 November, it will be the turn of the finance, education, children and youth, and media and communications committees. On 6 November, the environment, climate and biodiversity committee and the labour Committee will take over. Finally, the mobility, public works, agriculture, food and viticulture committees will meet on 7 November and again on 8 November.

On 7 November, MPs will also examine parliament’s accounts for 2023 and launch the tender procedure for the selection of an auditor to carry out the annual audit of the chamber’s accounts for the years 2024 to 2026.

This Monday, Luxinnovation is organising the first Luxembourg Defence Technology and Innovation Day in collaboration with the Luxembourg Defence Directorate. This event is dedicated to defence issues, and will address how national companies can integrate into EU and Nato defence value chains. Combining keynotes and high-level presentations with a showcase of cutting-edge technologies, the day will explore the latest innovation activities in Luxembourg's security and defence sector. The opening address will be given by defence minister  (DP).

Monday 4 November

European Parliament. Christophe Hansen presents himself to the members of the Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Committees.

Government. Prime minister  (CSV) will give the keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Jacques Delors Promotion 2024-2025, at the College of Europe in Natolin, Poland. Frieden will present his views on the state of Europe and the challenges it faces, as well as his vision for shaping the Europe of tomorrow. The opening ceremony will begin at 5pm. The prime minister will be welcomed by the vice-rector of the college, Ewa Ośniecka-Tamecka.

Government. The first Luxembourg Defence Technology and Innovation Day will be held from 9am to 2pm at the Maison des Arts et des Étudiants in Esch-Belval. The detailed programme is .

European Council. Meeting in Brussels of the Eurogroup, which will take stock of the latest macroeconomic developments and outlook, including inflation trends, and will be briefed on the debates held at the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington DC.

Chamber of Deputies. Examination of petition 3176 aimed at banning the use of smartphones on school premises. On 25 October last year, the Council of Government adopted a regulation laying down the rules for the use of mobile phones of this kind in schools. The idea is to curb the over-consumption of digital technology by young people. From now on, mobile phones and other mobile devices may no longer be used in basic education. In secondary education, these devices will have to be switched off during lessons and stored at a safe distance from their owners. Arrangements for storing mobile phones will be left to the schools to decide.

Chamber of Deputies. During the presentation of the draft budget, the members of the defence committee will hold an exchange of views with the minister responsible, Yuriko Backes. They will also adopt a draft report on text 8389 authorising the government to finance the acquisition and logistical support of rolling stock for the needs of the Luxembourg army, and more specifically the Luxembourg Belgian Combat Reconnaissance Battalion. Total budget: €2.616bn.

Tuesday 5 November

European Council. In its “Economic and Financial Affairs” configuration, the council meeting in Brussels will seek to reach a political agreement on the VAT package for the digital age. This package comprises three proposals aimed at combating VAT fraud, supporting businesses and promoting digitisation. The ministers will also take stock of the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Finally, the council will adopt two legislative acts amending the Solvency II Directive, which will introduce new rules on the recovery and resolution of insurance and reinsurance undertakings.

Government. Conference on (in)equality in sport. Yuriko Backes, gender equality and diversity minister, and  minister for sport, will present the Equality Moves campaign on equality and the fight against discrimination, abuse and violence in sport. The conference will be held at the Coque from 5pm.

Government. Presentation of the eSanté Agency’s 2023 annual report and the contract of objectives and resources covering the period 2025-2027.

Wednesday 6 November

Chamber of Deputies. The members of the health and social security committee will continue their examination of bill 8333 on tobacco control. The bill introduces a requirement for new tobacco products to carry health warnings on packaging units and outer packaging, and a ban on flavourings and additives for new tobacco products, as already applies to cigarettes.

Chamber of Deputies. The members of the environment, climate and biodiversity committee begin examining parliamentary dossier 8449. This text, which follows on from the national housing meeting of 22 February 2024, introduces in urbanised areas or areas earmarked for urbanisation. A rapporteur will be appointed at the end of the session.

Government. The quadripartite committee on sickness and maternity insurance will meet at the Opderschmelz regional cultural centre in Dudelange, chaired by the health and social security minister . This meeting will examine the financial situation of the sickness and maternity insurance scheme in 2024, as well as the latest financial forecasts for 2025.

Court of Justice of the European Union. The court delivers its judgment in cases T-386/21 Crédit Agricole and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank v Commission and T-406/21 UBS Group and Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) v Commission. These banks are challenging a fine imposed in 2021 by the European Commission on Bank of America, Crédit Agricole and Credit Suisse for colluding in the secondary market for dollar-denominated sovereign, suprasovereign and government agency bonds.

Thursday 7 November

European Council. Meeting in Budapest of the European Political Community, an institution created at the European Summit on 23 and 24 June 2022 with the aim of strengthening ties between the European Union and those who share its values but are not members.

Chamber of Deputies. The members of the justice committee will hold an exchange of views with Thierry Hoscheit, president of Luxembourg’s superior court of justice.

Chamber of Deputies. The agriculture, food and viticulture committee will examine bill 8411 amending the Act of 2 August 2023 on support for the sustainable development of rural areas. These amendments concern support for the sustainable development of rural areas, reflect the agreements reached with the main players in the agricultural, wine-growing and horticultural sectors during the Landwirtschaftsdësch consultation of 4 March 2024 and, in passing, correct a number of errors in the wording of certain provisions.

European Court of Auditors. The court publishes its report “The employment framework of the EU civil service,” which looks at the recruitment policy of the European institutions and executive agencies. The EU institutions and bodies, as well as the executive agencies, employ around 51,000 people under various types of contract: permanent officials, temporary staff and contract agents.

Friday 8 November

European Council. Informal meeting of the heads of state or government in Budapest.

This article was originally published in .