The European Parliament approved Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit Deal, clearing the way for the UK to leave the European Union on January 31. The vote was 621 to 49 in favor of the Brexit deal that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson negotiated with the other 27 EU leaders in the fall of last year. Watch report:

Brexit Deal cleared in EU Parliament, Lawmakers in tears

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../pm-johnson-signs-agreement-for-britain-to- leave-european-union-276448">European Union</a> (EU) Parliament should not take any action questioning the rights and authority of democratically elected legislatures, government sources said on Sunday, ahead of a debate on a batch of resolutions against India's new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../despite-protests-citizenship-amendment-act-will- not-be-withdrawn-amit-shah-275742">citizenship law</a> by the powerful bloc of 28 nations.

India hopes that the "sponsors and supporters" of the resolutions will engage with the government to get a full and accurate assessment of facts before they proceed further, the sources said.

The EU Parliament is set to debate on the resolutions tabled by a large chunk of its members against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), saying the enactment of the new law marked a dangerous shift in India's citizenship regime.

The new law, passed by Parliament last month, offers citizenship to non-Muslim persecuted religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. India has been witnessing massive protests against the new law with opposition parties, civil rights groups and activists saying granting citizenship based on religion is against the foundational principle of the Constitution.

Reiterating New Delhi's stated position, the sources said the CAA was an entirely internal matter of India and that the legislation was adopted through democratic means after a debate in both houses of Parliament.

"Every society that fashions a pathway to naturalisation contemplates both a context and criteria. This is not discrimination. In fact, European societies have followed the same approach," a government source said, explaining why India is opposed to the resolutions at the EU parliament.

A total of six resolutions have been tabled by groups within the EU, including the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&amp;D), Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) (PPE), Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance (Verts/ALE), European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR), Renew Europe Group (Renew) and European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) Group.

The resolutions have a similar theme with a number of them, such as the one tabled by the GUE/NGL Group, also making a reference to the revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution that gave a special status to Jammu and Kashmir. They are set to be debated in the European Parliament in Brussels next Wednesday and voted the day after.

The resolutions urge the Indian authorities to "engage constructively" with those protesting against the law and consider their demands to repeal the "discriminatory CAA".

"The CAA marks a dangerous shift in the way citizenship will be determined in India and is set to create the largest statelessness crisis in the world and cause immense human suffering," according to the GUE/NGL resolution.

"Instead of addressing the concerns, offering corrective action, calling for security forces to act with restraint and ensuring accountability, many government leaders have been engaging in efforts to discredit, rebuke and threaten the protesters," it stated.

The Indian government has been emphasising that the new law does not deny any citizenship rights, but has been brought to protect the oppressed minorities of neighbouring countries and give them citizenship.&nbsp;

The European Union (EU) Parliament should not take any action questioning the rights and authority of democratically elected legislatures, government sources said on Sunday, ahead of a debate on a batch of resolutions against India's new citizenship law by the powerful bloc of 28 nations.

The European Union (EU) Parliament should not take any action questioning the rights and authority of democratically elected legislatures, government sources said on Sunday, ahead of a debate on a batch of resolutions against India's new citizenship law by the powerful bloc of 28 nations. India hopes that the "sponsors and supporters" of the resolutions will engage with the government to get a full and accurate assessment of facts before they proceed further, the sources said. The EU Parliament is set to debate on the resolutions tabled by a large chunk of its members against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), saying the enactment of the new law marked a dangerous shift in India's citizenship regime. The new law, passed by Parliament last month, offers citizenship to non-Muslim persecuted religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. India has been witnessing massive protests against the new law with opposition parties, civil rights groups and activists saying granting citizenship based on religion is against the foundational principle of the Constitution. Reiterating New Delhi's stated position, the sources said the CAA was an entirely internal matter of India and that the legislation was adopted through democratic means after a debate in both houses of Parliament. "Every society that fashions a pathway to naturalisation contemplates both a context and criteria. This is not discrimination. In fact, European societies have followed the same approach," a government source said, explaining why India is opposed to the resolutions at the EU parliament. A total of six resolutions have been tabled by groups within the EU, including the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D), Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) (PPE), Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance (Verts/ALE), European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR), Renew Europe Group (Renew) and European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) Group. The resolutions have a similar theme with a number of them, such as the one tabled by the GUE/NGL Group, also making a reference to the revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution that gave a special status to Jammu and Kashmir. They are set to be debated in the European Parliament in Brussels next Wednesday and voted the day after. The resolutions urge the Indian authorities to "engage constructively" with those protesting against the law and consider their demands to repeal the "discriminatory CAA". "The CAA marks a dangerous shift in the way citizenship will be determined in India and is set to create the largest statelessness crisis in the world and cause immense human suffering," according to the GUE/NGL resolution. "Instead of addressing the concerns, offering corrective action, calling for security forces to act with restraint and ensuring accountability, many government leaders have been engaging in efforts to discredit, rebuke and threaten the protesters," it stated. The Indian government has been emphasising that the new law does not deny any citizenship rights, but has been brought to protect the oppressed minorities of neighbouring countries and give them citizenship.

'Entirely Internal Matter': India on European Union Parliament setting resolution against CAA

UK PM Boris Johnson tweeted that 'UK & EU agreed on a great new deal for Brexit'. But this deal still needs the approval of both UK & EU Parliament. European Union leaders reach Brussels for the make-or-break summit. The major showdown in the UK Parliament is on Saturday. Watch this video to know more.

Joint presser post EU summit meeting

UK PM Boris Johnson tweeted that 'UK & EU agreed on a great new deal for Brexit'. But this deal still needs the approval of both UK & EU Parliament. Let's listen to Boris Johnson...

Brexit: Deal done, biggest challange awaits

UK PM Boris Johnson tweeted that 'UK & EU agreed on a great new deal for Brexit'. But this deal still needs the approval of both UK & EU Parliament. EU summit to kick off in a few hours.

WION Dispatch: EU summit to kick off in few hours

UK PM Boris Johnson tweeted that 'UK & EU agreed on a great new deal for Brexit'. But this deal still needs the approval of both UK & EU Parliament.

UK & EU holds a new Brexit deal, both still need approval of their respective Parliaments

The European Parliament on Tuesday approved <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/christine-lagarde-resigns-as-international-monetary-fund-chief-starting-race-for-her-successor-236536">outgoing IMF chief</a> Christine Lagarde as the next boss of the European Central Bank, which last week announced massive stimulus for the sluggish eurozone despite divisions among its governors.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lagarde-temporarily-steps-down-as-imf-chief-american-economist-david-lipton-named-interim-leader-232570">Lagarde</a>, who was absent for the vote, won backing from 394 MEPs, with 206 votings against and 49 abstaining in a secret ballot.

Some criticised her not turning up.

The parliament's green light is just a recommendation.

The final decision on her appointment is up to EU leaders in a mid-October summit.

She is expected to easily clinch that confirmation as the leaders put her forward for the ECB post back in July.

Lagarde, a former French economy minister and head of the International Monetary Fund for the past eight years, is expected to largely follow the course set by departing ECB president Mario Draghi.

Draghi was hailed seven years ago for saving the eurozone from the debilitating crisis by vowing "the ECB is ready to do whatever it takes".

But his decision last Thursday to have the ECB intervene again with quantitative easing (QE) from November and a cut to the interest paid on banks' deposits deeper into negative territory has ruffled the feathers of some EU states.

Germany and the Netherlands notably accused Draghi of going too far. Sources told AFP that around 10 of the 25 ECB governors were against relaunching QE.

Draghi had underlined three challenges facing the ECB and its goal of price stability: a slowing eurozone economy, looming trade protectionism and Brexit, and the bank's degrading economic forecasts.

He is to leave his job to Lagarde after hosting a last monetary policy meeting in October.

The European Parliament on Tuesday approved outgoing IMF chief Christine Lagarde as the next boss of the European Central Bank, which last week announced massive stimulus for the sluggish eurozone despite divisions among its governors.

The European Parliament on Tuesday approved outgoing IMF chief Christine Lagarde as the next boss of the European Central Bank, which last week announced massive stimulus for the sluggish eurozone despite divisions among its governors. Lagarde, who was absent for the vote, won backing from 394 MEPs, with 206 votings against and 49 abstaining in a secret ballot. Some criticised her not turning up. The parliament's green light is just a recommendation. The final decision on her appointment is up to EU leaders in a mid-October summit. She is expected to easily clinch that confirmation as the leaders put her forward for the ECB post back in July. Lagarde, a former French economy minister and head of the International Monetary Fund for the past eight years, is expected to largely follow the course set by departing ECB president Mario Draghi. Draghi was hailed seven years ago for saving the eurozone from the debilitating crisis by vowing "the ECB is ready to do whatever it takes". But his decision last Thursday to have the ECB intervene again with quantitative easing (QE) from November and a cut to the interest paid on banks' deposits deeper into negative territory has ruffled the feathers of some EU states. Germany and the Netherlands notably accused Draghi of going too far. Sources told AFP that around 10 of the 25 ECB governors were against relaunching QE. Draghi had underlined three challenges facing the ECB and its goal of price stability: a slowing eurozone economy, looming trade protectionism and Brexit, and the bank's degrading economic forecasts. He is to leave his job to Lagarde after hosting a last monetary policy meeting in October.

European Parliament approves Lagarde as next European Central Bank chief

Hungarian residents woke up on Monday to hear that Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling Fidesz party won 13 of the country's 21 seats in the European Union parliament, one seat more than in the 2014 vote.

Orban's party wins 13 seats in EU Parliament

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blow-for-president-emmanuel-macron-as-le-pen-tops-european-union-election-in-france-221915">Emmanuel&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;</a>may have ended up with a disappointing second place in the European election in France, but his battle for&nbsp;influence&nbsp;in&nbsp;Brussels&nbsp;can now begin in earnest - and he is in a stronger position to wage that fight than two years ago.

The French leader may have failed to defeat Marine Le Pen's far-right party on Sunday, a duel&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;had played up ahead of the vote, but he now has a troop of European lawmakers he can call his own, giving him more leverage on the European stage.

"Even if he finished second behind Le Pen,&nbsp;Macron's party has more chances of being in a pivotal role - even one of kingmaker - than Marine Le Pen's party," Manuel Lafont Rapnouil, head of the ECFR think-tank's Paris office, told Reuters.

"Of course in terms of political capital, in terms of image, it's not very good for&nbsp;Macron," he said. "But from an institutional point of view, with this new European parliament configuration, he is now in a better position."

Macron's party, the pro-European Republique En Marche, was only created in 2016, which means he had no lawmakers in the European Parliament until now, limiting his&nbsp;influence.

Having finished less than one percentage point behind Le Pen, who did less well than five years ago, he is now on course to match the far-right leader's 23 seats in the new assembly.

That should be enough to become the biggest national contingent in the third-largest bloc in parliament, the centrist group currently known as ALDE, where&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;will now call the shots, bringing his youth and the weight of France to the fore.

As German Chancellor Angela Merkel gradually leaves the stage after almost 15 years in power,&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;is keen to take over the unofficial mantle of leader of the European project.

With the two hitherto dominant forces in the European assembly - the European Peoples' Party (EPP) to the right and the Socialists &amp; Democrats (S&amp;D) on the left - short of the 376 seats needed for a majority in the European Parliament, ALDE will become crucial for any coalition.

That's why&nbsp;Macron's strategists were sanguine about "disappointing" but "honourable" results that contrasted sharply with the bruising mid-term defeats handed out to previous French governments.

In&nbsp;Brussels,&nbsp;Macron's aides see themselves as essential: whoever wants to build a majority in the European Parliament will have to do so with&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;and ALDE.

"For the first time, the EPP and the S&amp;D will have to compromise with a centrist, pro-European force - in which we'll have a central and crucial role - and which will be a totally indispensable partner," a presidential adviser said.

REBALANCED FRANCO-GERMAN RELATIONSHIP

Macron's aura - inherited from his landslide 2017 defeat of Le Pen when other countries such as Britain and the United States were succumbing to populist forces - will be dented at the European Council table of EU leaders.

And with eurosceptic Viktor Orban securing a 52 per cent victory in Hungary,&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;will struggle to impose his integrationist, pro-EU agenda, Christopher Dembik, an economist at Saxo Bank in Paris, told Reuters.

However, with Merkel's conservatives losing seven percentage points from five years ago as the German far-right made gains,&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;could establish a more equal relationship with Germany, which over the past two years has frustrated most of his plans from trade policy to eurozone reform.

Macron&nbsp;should at least be able to block Merkel from imposing her lead candidate for the European Commission, Manfred Weber.

"In our view, Angela Merkel's favourite candidate is totally disqualified today," Pascal Canfin, number two on&nbsp;Macron's list of candidates told France Inter radio on Monday. The EPP will have to eject Orban from its ranks for any coalition deal to be approved by&nbsp;Macron's group, he added.

Elysee officials took heart in the surge by Germany's Greens, who have expressed more support for his pro-European agenda than conservatives and liberals in Berlin, and who could be tempted to collaborate in&nbsp;Brussels.

Other European politicians also see&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;playing a leading role in the EU stage.

"You may like him or not, but there's no doubt he will be the leader of the coming months in Europe, with a crucial role of kingmaker," Italy's former prime minister Matteo Renzi told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper.

Portugal's prime minister, Antonio Costa, a Socialist, also voiced support for&nbsp;Macron's European plans ahead of the vote, suggesting the French leader might be able to win allies beyond his centrist family in the European parliament.

With his eyes on the top EU posts,&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;didn't waste any time before starting negotiations with his European counterparts.

He called Merkel on Sunday night and will talk to other EU leaders ahead of an informal&nbsp;Brussels&nbsp;meeting on Tuesday which will kick off weeks of bargaining over who will run the EU's main institutions.

Spain's Pedro Sanchez, whose Socialists are on course to have the biggest contingent in the EU assembly's Socialist group, will dine with&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;at the Elysee Palace on Monday evening, a sign the two leaders see each other as powerbrokers.

Elysee strategists have long hoped to lure Spanish Socialists into their "grand coalition" of pro-EU progressive forces.

Macron's allies in the EU Parliament see a new, more influential era for the centrists, with outgoing ALDE leader Guy Verhofstadt rejecting the idea that&nbsp;Macron's second-place showing to Le Pen was even a "defeat".

"What you call a defeat I call a victory," he said.

Emmanuel Macron may have ended up with a disappointing second place in the European election in France, but his battle for influence in Brussels can now begin in earnest - and he is in a stronger position to wage that fight than two years ago.

Emmanuel Macron may have ended up with a disappointing second place in the European election in France, but his battle for influence in Brussels can now begin in earnest - and he is in a stronger position to wage that fight than two years ago. The French leader may have failed to defeat Marine Le Pen's far-right party on Sunday, a duel Macron had played up ahead of the vote, but he now has a troop of European lawmakers he can call his own, giving him more leverage on the European stage. "Even if he finished second behind Le Pen, Macron's party has more chances of being in a pivotal role - even one of kingmaker - than Marine Le Pen's party," Manuel Lafont Rapnouil, head of the ECFR think-tank's Paris office, told Reuters. "Of course in terms of political capital, in terms of image, it's not very good for Macron," he said. "But from an institutional point of view, with this new European parliament configuration, he is now in a better position." Macron's party, the pro-European Republique En Marche, was only created in 2016, which means he had no lawmakers in the European Parliament until now, limiting his influence. Having finished less than one percentage point behind Le Pen, who did less well than five years ago, he is now on course to match the far-right leader's 23 seats in the new assembly. That should be enough to become the biggest national contingent in the third-largest bloc in parliament, the centrist group currently known as ALDE, where Macron will now call the shots, bringing his youth and the weight of France to the fore. As German Chancellor Angela Merkel gradually leaves the stage after almost 15 years in power, Macron is keen to take over the unofficial mantle of leader of the European project. With the two hitherto dominant forces in the European assembly - the European Peoples' Party (EPP) to the right and the Socialists & Democrats (S&D) on the left - short of the 376 seats needed for a majority in the European Parliament, ALDE will become crucial for any coalition. That's why Macron's strategists were sanguine about "disappointing" but "honourable" results that contrasted sharply with the bruising mid-term defeats handed out to previous French governments. In Brussels, Macron's aides see themselves as essential: whoever wants to build a majority in the European Parliament will have to do so with Macron and ALDE. "For the first time, the EPP and the S&D will have to compromise with a centrist, pro-European force - in which we'll have a central and crucial role - and which will be a totally indispensable partner," a presidential adviser said. REBALANCED FRANCO-GERMAN RELATIONSHIP Macron's aura - inherited from his landslide 2017 defeat of Le Pen when other countries such as Britain and the United States were succumbing to populist forces - will be dented at the European Council table of EU leaders. And with eurosceptic Viktor Orban securing a 52 per cent victory in Hungary, Macron will struggle to impose his integrationist, pro-EU agenda, Christopher Dembik, an economist at Saxo Bank in Paris, told Reuters. However, with Merkel's conservatives losing seven percentage points from five years ago as the German far-right made gains, Macron could establish a more equal relationship with Germany, which over the past two years has frustrated most of his plans from trade policy to eurozone reform. Macron should at least be able to block Merkel from imposing her lead candidate for the European Commission, Manfred Weber. "In our view, Angela Merkel's favourite candidate is totally disqualified today," Pascal Canfin, number two on Macron's list of candidates told France Inter radio on Monday. The EPP will have to eject Orban from its ranks for any coalition deal to be approved by Macron's group, he added. Elysee officials took heart in the surge by Germany's Greens, who have expressed more support for his pro-European agenda than conservatives and liberals in Berlin, and who could be tempted to collaborate in Brussels. Other European politicians also see Macron playing a leading role in the EU stage. "You may like him or not, but there's no doubt he will be the leader of the coming months in Europe, with a crucial role of kingmaker," Italy's former prime minister Matteo Renzi told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper. Portugal's prime minister, Antonio Costa, a Socialist, also voiced support for Macron's European plans ahead of the vote, suggesting the French leader might be able to win allies beyond his centrist family in the European parliament. With his eyes on the top EU posts, Macron didn't waste any time before starting negotiations with his European counterparts. He called Merkel on Sunday night and will talk to other EU leaders ahead of an informal Brussels meeting on Tuesday which will kick off weeks of bargaining over who will run the EU's main institutions. Spain's Pedro Sanchez, whose Socialists are on course to have the biggest contingent in the EU assembly's Socialist group, will dine with Macron at the Elysee Palace on Monday evening, a sign the two leaders see each other as powerbrokers. Elysee strategists have long hoped to lure Spanish Socialists into their "grand coalition" of pro-EU progressive forces. Macron's allies in the EU Parliament see a new, more influential era for the centrists, with outgoing ALDE leader Guy Verhofstadt rejecting the idea that Macron's second-place showing to Le Pen was even a "defeat". "What you call a defeat I call a victory," he said.

Despite bruised ego, Macron starts real campaign for Brussels influence

EU Council president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/theresa-may-might-not-announce-resignation-until-lawmakers-back-brexit-deal-report-206004">Donald Tusk has said</a> the organization should be "open to a long extension if the UK wishes to rethink its Brexit strategy".

"You cannot betray the six million people who signed the petition to revoke Article 50, the one million people who marched for a people's vote or the increasing majority of people who want to remain in the European Union," Tusk said, adding,"They may feel that they are not sufficiently represented by the UK Parliament but they must feel that they are represented by you in this chamber because they are Europeans."

Tusk added that a long extension would also mean UK's participation in the European Parliament elections.

On Sunday, a huge rally of nearly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-to-vote-on-brexit-options-206010">one million in London focussed </a>on demanding a second Brexit referendum to overturn the vote on June 2016.

Political figures including Tom Watson, the deputy leader of the opposition Labor Party, the First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan all delivered speeches at the rally.

Amid the differences, ex-UKIP Leader and and chairman of the Europe of freedom and direct democracy group at the EU parliament, Nigel Farage said: "Do you really want the United Kingdom to contest the European elections, to send back a very large number of 'Leave' MEPs just at the time when you're fighting populism as you see it across the continent? Do you really want me back in this place?

Differences continued inside the European Parliament as the British member of the European Parliament and Scottish National Party member, Alyn Smith pleaded: "The best Brexit is not Brexit. So, colleagues, please, don't close the doors on us now. There are a lot of us in Scotland and elsewhere across the UK working hard to turn this around, to serve our citizens, to remain within that family of nations." 
&nbsp; 
Last week the European Union had extended the original March 29 deadline for Britain's departure from the bloc to May 22. However, it is subject to British House of Commons approving Prime Minister Theresa May's withdrawal agreement.

In the new scenario, if the UK Parliament decides to again reject May's plan within the deadline date in the British House of Commons then the UK could still crash out of Brexit with a "no-deal" by April 12th.

Prime Minister Theresa May admitted Monday she had still not secured the votes needed to get her Brexit deal through parliament. May's own cabinet including the Conservative Party is deeply divided over the issue.

EU Council president Donald Tusk has said the organization should be "open to a long extension if the UK wishes to rethink its Brexit strategy". "You cannot betray the six million people who signed the petition to revoke Article 50, the one million people who marched for a people's vote or the increasing majority of people who want to remain in the European Union," Tusk said, adding,"They may feel that they are not sufficiently represented by the UK Parliament but they must feel that they are represented by you in this chamber because they are Europeans.

EU Council president Donald Tusk has said the organization should be "open to a long extension if the UK wishes to rethink its Brexit strategy". "You cannot betray the six million people who signed the petition to revoke Article 50, the one million people who marched for a people's vote or the increasing majority of people who want to remain in the European Union," Tusk said, adding,"They may feel that they are not sufficiently represented by the UK Parliament but they must feel that they are represented by you in this chamber because they are Europeans." Tusk added that a long extension would also mean UK's participation in the European Parliament elections. On Sunday, a huge rally of nearly one million in London focussed on demanding a second Brexit referendum to overturn the vote on June 2016. Political figures including Tom Watson, the deputy leader of the opposition Labor Party, the First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan all delivered speeches at the rally. Amid the differences, ex-UKIP Leader and and chairman of the Europe of freedom and direct democracy group at the EU parliament, Nigel Farage said: "Do you really want the United Kingdom to contest the European elections, to send back a very large number of 'Leave' MEPs just at the time when you're fighting populism as you see it across the continent? Do you really want me back in this place? Differences continued inside the European Parliament as the British member of the European Parliament and Scottish National Party member, Alyn Smith pleaded: "The best Brexit is not Brexit. So, colleagues, please, don't close the doors on us now. There are a lot of us in Scotland and elsewhere across the UK working hard to turn this around, to serve our citizens, to remain within that family of nations." Last week the European Union had extended the original March 29 deadline for Britain's departure from the bloc to May 22. However, it is subject to British House of Commons approving Prime Minister Theresa May's withdrawal agreement. In the new scenario, if the UK Parliament decides to again reject May's plan within the deadline date in the British House of Commons then the UK could still crash out of Brexit with a "no-deal" by April 12th. Prime Minister Theresa May admitted Monday she had still not secured the votes needed to get her Brexit deal through parliament. May's own cabinet including the Conservative Party is deeply divided over the issue.

Amid differences, Tusk urges EU Parliament to be open to long Brexit extension

The European Parliament backed a contested EU-Canada free trade deal on Wednesday, facing down protests by activists and Donald Trump-inspired calls for protectionism.

MEPs meeting in Strasbourg, France, approved the pact with 408 votes in favour, 254 against and 33 abstentions.&nbsp;

Approval by the parliament allows the provisional implementation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement as early as next month.

EU states and Canada formally signed the deal in October after seven years of tough talks, overcoming last-minute resistance from a small Belgian region that blocked its national government from approving the accord.

Protests marked the vote, with about 700 people marching outside parliament to voice their opposition to the deal.

Anti-globalisation activists dressed in surgical masks dramatically blocked entrance to the parliament building, before being dragged off by riot police.

&quot;Saying yes to CETA is a trampling of the people,&quot; said a banner.

Following the approval by parliament, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will address MEPs in person on Thursday.

EU leaders see the deal as a victory for an imperilled global trade system that is under threat from US President Donald Trump who opposes international trade deals.

Opponents to the accord, which is known as CETA, slam the deal as a danger to health, democracy and the rule of law.

&quot;CETA is the best trade agreement the EU has ever concluded. It will bring Canada and Europe even closer together,&quot; said German MEP Manfred Weber, the head of the conservative EPP group, the parliament&#39;s biggest bloc.

Deal &#39;attacks governments&#39;

Some of the more controversial aspects, including a much-derided investor court system, still require ratification by EU member states, which could take years.

The EU is very ambitious about the deal, calling it Europe&#39;s most modern ever, and saying it will become a template for later deals, including with post-Brexit Britain.

CETA will remove 99 percent of non-farm customs duties between the two sides, a big win for exporters on both sides of the Atlantic.

And unlike classic trade deals, CETA harmonises regulations on matters such as health and the environment, a major concern for activists.

A major flashpoint for opponents is the proposal to set up special courts to settle disputes between investors and national authorities that is central to the deal.

Opponents believe this provision hands too much power to multinationals that will use powerful lawyers to undermine national regulation.

&quot;Multinationals will be able to attack governments in a privatised court system,&quot; said France&#39;s far-right presidential candidate and MEP Marine Le Pen, who voted against CETA.

But the deal&#39;s EU negotiator, Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem, told MEPs that &quot;nothing in this agreement undermines a government&#39;s right to regulate in the public interest&quot;.&nbsp;

The vote comes at a particularly sensitive time for global trade matters, with Britain poised to leave the European Union and new US president Trump rejecting an Asia-Pacific trade deal.

Trump is also widely expected to drop a similar proposed deal with the EU known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership or TTIP.

Trudeau met with Trump on Monday in Washington.

Trump had vowed to put &quot;America first&quot; and rip up the North America Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico, but significantly toned down that rhetoric after meeting Trudeau.

(AFP) 
&nbsp;

CETA will remove 99 percent of non-farm customs duties between the two sides, a big win for exporters on both sides

The European Parliament backed a contested EU-Canada free trade deal on Wednesday, facing down protests by activists and Donald Trump-inspired calls for protectionism. MEPs meeting in Strasbourg, France, approved the pact with 408 votes in favour, 254 against and 33 abstentions. Approval by the parliament allows the provisional implementation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement as early as next month. EU states and Canada formally signed the deal in October after seven years of tough talks, overcoming last-minute resistance from a small Belgian region that blocked its national government from approving the accord. Protests marked the vote, with about 700 people marching outside parliament to voice their opposition to the deal. Anti-globalisation activists dressed in surgical masks dramatically blocked entrance to the parliament building, before being dragged off by riot police. "Saying yes to CETA is a trampling of the people," said a banner. Following the approval by parliament, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will address MEPs in person on Thursday. EU leaders see the deal as a victory for an imperilled global trade system that is under threat from US President Donald Trump who opposes international trade deals. Opponents to the accord, which is known as CETA, slam the deal as a danger to health, democracy and the rule of law. "CETA is the best trade agreement the EU has ever concluded. It will bring Canada and Europe even closer together," said German MEP Manfred Weber, the head of the conservative EPP group, the parliament's biggest bloc. Deal 'attacks governments' Some of the more controversial aspects, including a much-derided investor court system, still require ratification by EU member states, which could take years. The EU is very ambitious about the deal, calling it Europe's most modern ever, and saying it will become a template for later deals, including with post-Brexit Britain. CETA will remove 99 percent of non-farm customs duties between the two sides, a big win for exporters on both sides of the Atlantic. And unlike classic trade deals, CETA harmonises regulations on matters such as health and the environment, a major concern for activists. A major flashpoint for opponents is the proposal to set up special courts to settle disputes between investors and national authorities that is central to the deal. Opponents believe this provision hands too much power to multinationals that will use powerful lawyers to undermine national regulation. "Multinationals will be able to attack governments in a privatised court system," said France's far-right presidential candidate and MEP Marine Le Pen, who voted against CETA. But the deal's EU negotiator, Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem, told MEPs that "nothing in this agreement undermines a government's right to regulate in the public interest". The vote comes at a particularly sensitive time for global trade matters, with Britain poised to leave the European Union and new US president Trump rejecting an Asia-Pacific trade deal. Trump is also widely expected to drop a similar proposed deal with the EU known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership or TTIP. Trudeau met with Trump on Monday in Washington. Trump had vowed to put "America first" and rip up the North America Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico, but significantly toned down that rhetoric after meeting Trudeau. (AFP)

EU Parliament approves contested free trade deal with Canada

The landmark Paris climate pact is&nbsp;poised to enter into force globally this week after the European Parliament joined the world&#39;s top polluters in endorsing the deal to slow the planet&#39;s dangerous temperature rise.

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In a vote watched by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the parliament voted overwhelmingly by 610 for, 38 against and 31 abstentions in favour of the EU`s fast-track ratification of the deal sealed in Paris last December.

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That puts the European Union on track to hand over its ratification to the United Nations on Friday, which would then take the international community above the threshold needed for implementation.

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&quot;I`m extremely honoured to be able to witness this historic moment,&quot; Ban said after making a special trip to the imposing European Parliament building in Strasbourg, France to watch the vote.&nbsp;

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&quot;I look forward to the Paris agreement entering into force as soon as possible, even in just a few days time.&quot;

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The Paris accord requires all countries to devise plans to achieve the goal of keeping the rise in temperatures within two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels and strive for 1.5 C (2.7 F) if possible.

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The European Parliament, the bloc`s only elected body, backed a decision by EU environment ministers last Friday to fast-track approval of the deal, despite only seven out of 28 EU countries having themselves ratified it.

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Fears that China and the United States, the world`s two biggest polluters, were leaving Europe behind on ratifying last year`s historic deal pushed them into rushing through the ratification.To come into force the accord needs ratification from 55 countries, which must together account for at least 55 percent of the planet`s greenhouse gas emissions, which are responsible for climate change.

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With a decision in the last few days by India, the third biggest emitter, a total of 62 countries have ratified the agreement to commit to take action to stem the planet`s rising temperatures.

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They all account for 52 percent of the planet`s greenhouse gas emissions, and EU ratification will bring it over 55 percent threshold by including the seven EU countries who have already approved it.The seven EU countries -- Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Malta, Portugal and Slovakia -- account for some five percent of global emissions.

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The seven EU countries -- Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Malta, Portugal and Slovakia -- account for some five percent of global emissions.

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The entire bloc accounts for 12 percent of global emissions.

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In normal times, for such major international agreements, the EU and its 28 member states must deposit simultaneously their ratification documents under sometimes time-consuming procedures.

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However, the member states overcame differences to reach a political agreement last week to bypass the usual process.

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Europe has prided itself on taking a global lead on climate change issues but has watched with alarm as the rest of the world has left it behind.

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&quot;Europe today is demonstrating it`s capable of great things when it puts its energy and forces together,&quot; European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said in Strasbourg at a time when the EU is buffeted by crises from migration to Brexit.

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Oxfam gave a cautious welcome, urging all member states they face a &quot;credibility test&quot; in sticking to the deal.

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US Secretary of State John Kerry, during a visit to Brussels, said &quot;the EU is making good on that pledge&quot; it made at the UN General Assembly last month to help the pact enter force by the end of the year.

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During a White House event on Monday to highlight his campaign to battle climate change, US President Barack Obama warned: &quot;We are really in a race against time.&quot;

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(AFP)&nbsp; 
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With the threshold for impelementation crossed, the pact will go into force globally this week

The landmark Paris climate pact is poised to enter into force globally this week after the European Parliament joined the world's top polluters in endorsing the deal to slow the planet's dangerous temperature rise. In a vote watched by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the parliament voted overwhelmingly by 610 for, 38 against and 31 abstentions in favour of the EU`s fast-track ratification of the deal sealed in Paris last December. That puts the European Union on track to hand over its ratification to the United Nations on Friday, which would then take the international community above the threshold needed for implementation. "I`m extremely honoured to be able to witness this historic moment," Ban said after making a special trip to the imposing European Parliament building in Strasbourg, France to watch the vote. "I look forward to the Paris agreement entering into force as soon as possible, even in just a few days time." The Paris accord requires all countries to devise plans to achieve the goal of keeping the rise in temperatures within two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels and strive for 1.5 C (2.7 F) if possible. The European Parliament, the bloc`s only elected body, backed a decision by EU environment ministers last Friday to fast-track approval of the deal, despite only seven out of 28 EU countries having themselves ratified it. Fears that China and the United States, the world`s two biggest polluters, were leaving Europe behind on ratifying last year`s historic deal pushed them into rushing through the ratification.To come into force the accord needs ratification from 55 countries, which must together account for at least 55 percent of the planet`s greenhouse gas emissions, which are responsible for climate change. With a decision in the last few days by India, the third biggest emitter, a total of 62 countries have ratified the agreement to commit to take action to stem the planet`s rising temperatures. They all account for 52 percent of the planet`s greenhouse gas emissions, and EU ratification will bring it over 55 percent threshold by including the seven EU countries who have already approved it.The seven EU countries -- Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Malta, Portugal and Slovakia -- account for some five percent of global emissions. The seven EU countries -- Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Malta, Portugal and Slovakia -- account for some five percent of global emissions. The entire bloc accounts for 12 percent of global emissions. In normal times, for such major international agreements, the EU and its 28 member states must deposit simultaneously their ratification documents under sometimes time-consuming procedures. However, the member states overcame differences to reach a political agreement last week to bypass the usual process. Europe has prided itself on taking a global lead on climate change issues but has watched with alarm as the rest of the world has left it behind. "Europe today is demonstrating it`s capable of great things when it puts its energy and forces together," European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said in Strasbourg at a time when the EU is buffeted by crises from migration to Brexit. Oxfam gave a cautious welcome, urging all member states they face a "credibility test" in sticking to the deal. US Secretary of State John Kerry, during a visit to Brussels, said "the EU is making good on that pledge" it made at the UN General Assembly last month to help the pact enter force by the end of the year. During a White House event on Monday to highlight his campaign to battle climate change, US President Barack Obama warned: "We are really in a race against time." (AFP)

European Parliament endorses Paris climate pact

The European parliament&#39;s chief called today for British Prime Minister David Cameron to begin formal proceedings to leave the EU at a summit this week. 
 
Martin Schulz told German newspaper Bild am Sonntag that a period of limbo over Brexit would &quot;lead to even more insecurity and thus endanger jobs&quot;. 
 
&quot;Hesitating simply to accommodate the party tactics of the British conservatives hurts everyone,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;That is why we expect the British government to now deliver. The summit on Tuesday is the right time.&quot; 
 
The four biggest groups in the European parliament have also drawn up a draft resolution calling for Cameron to set the Brexit ball rolling on Tuesday, Germany&#39;s Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung reported. 
 
This was crucial, the groups wrote, &quot;to avoid damaging uncertainty for all and to preserve the integrity of the union&quot;. 
 
They added that &quot;no new relationship of whatever kind between the United Kingdom and the EU can be agreed before (Britain&#39;s) exit accord has been completed&quot;. 
 
Cameron said on Friday in the wake of the shock referendum outcome favouring Britain leaving the EU that he would resign his office by October and leave negotiations on the so-called &quot;Brexit&quot; to his successor. 
 
To begin the withdrawal process, Britain must invoke Article 50 of the EU&#39;s Lisbon treaty, which has never been used before. 
 
The first step is to inform the European Council of member states which sets the clock ticking on a two-year timetable of negotiations. 
 
The EU will hold a summit on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss the fallout from the British vote and the European parliament will also hold a special session. 
 
Foreign ministers from the EU&#39;s six founding states meeting in Berlin on Saturday urged Britain to begin the exit process &quot;as soon as possible&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
(AFP)

Martin Schulz says a period of limbo over Brexit would 'lead to even more insecurity and thus endanger jobs'

The European parliament's chief called today for British Prime Minister David Cameron to begin formal proceedings to leave the EU at a summit this week. Martin Schulz told German newspaper Bild am Sonntag that a period of limbo over Brexit would "lead to even more insecurity and thus endanger jobs". "Hesitating simply to accommodate the party tactics of the British conservatives hurts everyone," he said. "That is why we expect the British government to now deliver. The summit on Tuesday is the right time." The four biggest groups in the European parliament have also drawn up a draft resolution calling for Cameron to set the Brexit ball rolling on Tuesday, Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung reported. This was crucial, the groups wrote, "to avoid damaging uncertainty for all and to preserve the integrity of the union". They added that "no new relationship of whatever kind between the United Kingdom and the EU can be agreed before (Britain's) exit accord has been completed". Cameron said on Friday in the wake of the shock referendum outcome favouring Britain leaving the EU that he would resign his office by October and leave negotiations on the so-called "Brexit" to his successor. To begin the withdrawal process, Britain must invoke Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon treaty, which has never been used before. The first step is to inform the European Council of member states which sets the clock ticking on a two-year timetable of negotiations. The EU will hold a summit on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss the fallout from the British vote and the European parliament will also hold a special session. Foreign ministers from the EU's six founding states meeting in Berlin on Saturday urged Britain to begin the exit process "as soon as possible". (AFP)

Leave, EU Parliament chief tells Britain, starting Tuesday

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