LIBE COMMITTEE MEETING OF 6–7 MAY 2026

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), chaired by Javier Zarzalejos, held its regular meeting in Brussels on 6 and 7 May 2026.

In the field of home affairs funding, the committee held an exchange of views with Olivier Onidi, Deputy Director-General for Schengen and Internal Security at the European Commission, on support for home affairs policies under the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework. The discussion examined the implications of the future budgetary architecture for instruments relating to asylum, migration and integration, internal security, integrated border management, the Schengen area, and the common visa policy.

The committee also held an exchange of views on the implications of hybrid warfare for the internal security of the European Union, with the participation of representatives from the European Commission and the European External Action Service. The session focused on threats targeting the information space, critical infrastructure, and the institutional resilience of the Union.

As part of its follow-up on interinstitutional negotiations, Chair Javier Zarzalejos informed members about progress in the negotiations on the Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse, for which he serves as rapporteur. Updates were also provided on negotiations concerning the recast Directive on the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children, the common return system for irregular third-country nationals, and the simplification package relating to small mid-cap enterprises.

During the electronic voting session, LIBE approved the draft recommendation on the conclusion of the agreement between the European Union and Lebanon concerning cooperation between Eurojust and the competent Lebanese authorities in the field of judicial cooperation in criminal matters. The committee also approved its draft opinion on the interim report regarding the package of agreements aimed at consolidating, deepening, and expanding bilateral relations with the Swiss Confederation.

The committee subsequently organised a public hearing on age verification, age assurance, and age estimation techniques for the protection of minors online. The hearing brought together representatives of the European Commission, national data protection authorities, academic experts, civil society organisations, child rights advocacy groups, and industry stakeholders. Discussions focused on the feasibility, proportionality, and implications for data protection and fundamental rights of the various mechanisms currently available.

Chair Javier Zarzalejos also presented the conclusions of the Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group’s mission to Madrid, which took place on 16 and 17 February 2026. The mission aimed to gather first-hand information on the state of the rule of law in Spain, particularly regarding judicial independence and the effectiveness of anti-corruption mechanisms.

On the second day of the meeting, LIBE held a Structured Dialogue with the Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, concerning the implementation of the Commission’s work programme and future priorities in the areas falling within the committee’s remit.