In all, 22 of the 27 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are Right-wing politicians in their home countries. EU panel in Srinagar for visit and Opposition put out questions. Watch this video to find out more.

EU panel in Srinagar for visit, Opposition put out questions

The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator said Wednesday that he was looking forward to working with incoming prime minister Boris Johnson to agree Britain's orderly departure.

But Michel Barnier made it clear that Brussels has no plans to renegotiate the divorce deal it signed with Johnson's predecessor <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/pleased-to-hand-over-charge-to-boris-johnson-says-theresa-may-in-british-parliament-238188&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjy6pLQ0s3jAhUfTI8KHf_NDzkQFjADegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3LcJNVgJS908UB58BjSmTf">Theresa May</a> in November last year.

"It's a very important moment for the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-a-divisive-politician-with-do-or-die-pledge-over-brexit-237944&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjy6pLQ0s3jAhUfTI8KHf_NDzkQFjAFegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1nKzV0cGQqoP_TqmQkzmPM">Brexit</a>. We look forward to hearing what the new prime minister Boris Johnson wants. What are the choices of the UK? Is it an orderly Brexit?" Barnier told the BBC.

"The 'no deal' will never be the choice of the EU, but we are prepared... we will work all along the next few weeks or months with the new UK government in the best possible way, in a very constructive spirit to facilitate the ratification of the withdrawal agreement."

Asked what he thinks of Johnson, who has demanded the deal be reopened, Barnier said he had only met him once, at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, and added: "We will work with him. I think he is clever."&nbsp;

Earlier, Barnier had briefed the European Parliament's Brexit steering group, under former Belgian premier Guy Verhofstadt. The MEPs also stuck to Brussels' line that the withdrawal agreement will not be renegotiated.

"This is our position it is impossible to change our position," group member Antonio Tajani told reporters.

But the MEPS reiterated that they would support EU leaders if they decide to rewrite an accompanying non-binding political declaration to seek "a more ambitious future EU-UK partnership".

WATCH:&nbsp;What drove Boris Johnson to the top?

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/what-drove-boris-johnson-to-the-top-238069/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

A closer future relation could ensure "the Irish backstop would not be necessary", the group's statement said. Johnson insists the backstop must be removed from the withdrawal agreement, an idea rejected by EU capitals.

The group congratulated Johnson but warned that recent statements, not least those made during the Conservative Party leadership campaign, have greatly increased the risk of a disorderly exit of the UK.

And they warned that a disorderly or no-deal Brexit -&nbsp;which Johnson has said he will pursue if the deal is not rewritten before October 31 - would be "very damaging".

"Such an exit will not be mitigated by any form of arrangements or mini deals between the EU and the UK."

The Brexit Steering Group "recalls that there is no transition period without a withdrawal agreement," it said.

The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator said Wednesday that he was looking forward to working with incoming prime minister Boris Johnson to agree Britain's orderly departure.

The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator said Wednesday that he was looking forward to working with incoming prime minister Boris Johnson to agree Britain's orderly departure. But Michel Barnier made it clear that Brussels has no plans to renegotiate the divorce deal it signed with Johnson's predecessor Theresa May in November last year. "It's a very important moment for the Brexit. We look forward to hearing what the new prime minister Boris Johnson wants. What are the choices of the UK? Is it an orderly Brexit?" Barnier told the BBC. "The 'no deal' will never be the choice of the EU, but we are prepared... we will work all along the next few weeks or months with the new UK government in the best possible way, in a very constructive spirit to facilitate the ratification of the withdrawal agreement." Asked what he thinks of Johnson, who has demanded the deal be reopened, Barnier said he had only met him once, at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, and added: "We will work with him. I think he is clever." Earlier, Barnier had briefed the European Parliament's Brexit steering group, under former Belgian premier Guy Verhofstadt. The MEPs also stuck to Brussels' line that the withdrawal agreement will not be renegotiated. "This is our position it is impossible to change our position," group member Antonio Tajani told reporters. But the MEPS reiterated that they would support EU leaders if they decide to rewrite an accompanying non-binding political declaration to seek "a more ambitious future EU-UK partnership". WATCH: What drove Boris Johnson to the top? × A closer future relation could ensure "the Irish backstop would not be necessary", the group's statement said. Johnson insists the backstop must be removed from the withdrawal agreement, an idea rejected by EU capitals. The group congratulated Johnson but warned that recent statements, not least those made during the Conservative Party leadership campaign, have greatly increased the risk of a disorderly exit of the UK. And they warned that a disorderly or no-deal Brexit - which Johnson has said he will pursue if the deal is not rewritten before October 31 - would be "very damaging". "Such an exit will not be mitigated by any form of arrangements or mini deals between the EU and the UK." The Brexit Steering Group "recalls that there is no transition period without a withdrawal agreement," it said.

European Union will work with 'clever' Johnson: Barnier

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/polls-open-in-greeces-first-post-bailout-general-election-233710">Greeks head to the polls on Sunday</a> in a snap ballot that could bring an end to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's leftist government.

Here are five things to know about the vote, the third in Greece since May following European and local elections.

Greeks likely to abstain

Greece's third election in as many months is unlikely to set participation records, even more so as July 7 is right at the heart of the busy tourist season.

Voting is officially compulsory in Greece and abstention is theoretically punishable by law, but the penalty is never applied.

In May, fewer than 59 per cent of registered voters cast their ballots for the European Parliament and the first round of local and regional elections. A week later, participation fell below 42 per cent for the second round.

Will there be a stable government?

The memory of political instability in Greece at the height of the economic crisis is still recent. In 2011, the government collapsed and a few months later, back-to-back elections had to be held before a coalition administration could be pieced together.

The current electoral law gives a 50-seat bonus to the winning party, in principle enough to form a majority in the 300-seat parliament.

But if more than six parties enter parliament -- which is a possibility -- the winner may end up with a majority of just a few seats.

The conservative New Democracy party is heavily favoured to win, after a near-sweep in regional elections and a victory margin of over nine points in European parliament elections.

In that case, the conservatives could govern alone or alongside the socialist Kinal party in a repeat of the 2012 coalition.

But if the July 7 election fails to produce a government, a new electoral law will kick in without the 50-seat bonus, making uneasy alliances imperative.

Parties need at least three per cent of the vote to enter parliament.

Communists vote, rain or shine

The Communist KKE party, which turned 100 last year, has some of the country's most faithful supporters. It picked up 302,000 votes in the European Parliament elections, nearly the same amount garnered in national elections four years ago.

They also secured the re-election of a Communist mayor in Patras, Greece's third largest city.

Shifting sands of far-right

After a near-decade rise to the ranks of Greece's third most popular party, the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn suffered major losses in the last two voting campaigns, shedding half its electoral support.

Into the gap stepped Greek Solution, a new nationalist, pro-Russian party formed by journalist and TV salesman Kyriakos Velopoulos.

Out of the blue, Greek Solution won 4.18 per cent of the vote and a seat in the European parliament.

A former far-right lawmaker, Velopoulos scored well especially in the north of the country, where there is anger at Tsipras's deal with Macedonian prime minister Zoran Zaev to rename the neighbouring country North Macedonia.

Velopoulos has made no secret of his desire to attract Golden Dawn voters. Together, the two parties account for around nine per cent of the Greek electorate.

Crisis gloom&nbsp;

Greece is struggling to recover from a near-decade-long debt crisis and a deep six-year recession. It emerged from its third straight bailout last year, but with a public debt of over 180 per cent of output, it remains under strict supervision by its EU and IMF creditors.

Greeks head to the polls on Sunday in a snap ballot that could bring an end to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's leftist government. Here are five things to know about the vote, the third in Greece since May following European and local elections.

Greeks head to the polls on Sunday in a snap ballot that could bring an end to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's leftist government. Here are five things to know about the vote, the third in Greece since May following European and local elections. Greeks likely to abstain Greece's third election in as many months is unlikely to set participation records, even more so as July 7 is right at the heart of the busy tourist season. Voting is officially compulsory in Greece and abstention is theoretically punishable by law, but the penalty is never applied. In May, fewer than 59 per cent of registered voters cast their ballots for the European Parliament and the first round of local and regional elections. A week later, participation fell below 42 per cent for the second round. Will there be a stable government? The memory of political instability in Greece at the height of the economic crisis is still recent. In 2011, the government collapsed and a few months later, back-to-back elections had to be held before a coalition administration could be pieced together. The current electoral law gives a 50-seat bonus to the winning party, in principle enough to form a majority in the 300-seat parliament. But if more than six parties enter parliament -- which is a possibility -- the winner may end up with a majority of just a few seats. The conservative New Democracy party is heavily favoured to win, after a near-sweep in regional elections and a victory margin of over nine points in European parliament elections. In that case, the conservatives could govern alone or alongside the socialist Kinal party in a repeat of the 2012 coalition. But if the July 7 election fails to produce a government, a new electoral law will kick in without the 50-seat bonus, making uneasy alliances imperative. Parties need at least three per cent of the vote to enter parliament. Communists vote, rain or shine The Communist KKE party, which turned 100 last year, has some of the country's most faithful supporters. It picked up 302,000 votes in the European Parliament elections, nearly the same amount garnered in national elections four years ago. They also secured the re-election of a Communist mayor in Patras, Greece's third largest city. Shifting sands of far-right After a near-decade rise to the ranks of Greece's third most popular party, the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn suffered major losses in the last two voting campaigns, shedding half its electoral support. Into the gap stepped Greek Solution, a new nationalist, pro-Russian party formed by journalist and TV salesman Kyriakos Velopoulos. Out of the blue, Greek Solution won 4.18 per cent of the vote and a seat in the European parliament. A former far-right lawmaker, Velopoulos scored well especially in the north of the country, where there is anger at Tsipras's deal with Macedonian prime minister Zoran Zaev to rename the neighbouring country North Macedonia. Velopoulos has made no secret of his desire to attract Golden Dawn voters. Together, the two parties account for around nine per cent of the Greek electorate. Crisis gloom Greece is struggling to recover from a near-decade-long debt crisis and a deep six-year recession. It emerged from its third straight bailout last year, but with a public debt of over 180 per cent of output, it remains under strict supervision by its EU and IMF creditors.

Five things to know about Greece's July 7 vote

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-all-europe-is-a-woman-says-eu-president-tusk-after-top-jobs-deal-232619">European Council President Donald Tusk</a> on Thursday asked the European Parliament to approve Germany's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/german-cabinet-approves-increase-in-troops-for-afghanistan-35181">Ursula von der Leyen</a> as the next head of the European Commission.

"For the first time, we achieved a perfect gender balance in the top positions. Europe is not only talking about women, but it is also choosing women," Tusk told the assembly, which will vote on von der Leyen in mid-July.

"I hope it will inspire the European Parliament in its decisions," he said after the bloc's 28 national leaders assigned the EU's top jobs for the five years ahead.

Their three-day deliberations were messy, highlighting the splintering of the pro-European centre in the EU and its implications for future decision-making in the world's largest trading bloc and its half a billion people.

But Tusk said their final decision was consensual and took less time than five years ago when the bloc had last elected its leadership to help navigate Europe on everything from trade to migration to security.

"It is clear that only when we are united can we counterbalance the most powerful global players," he said.

While the EU's top jobs have given solid representation for women and a balance between the conservatives, socialists and liberals, eastern members of the bloc have been left out, along with the Greens, who did well in May's European Parliament elections.

Tusk urged that candidates from the east and Green parties be represented in second-tier jobs yet to be filled.

Addressing the parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg, Slovak Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said the major challenges ahead included fighting climate change, agreeing on the bloc's budget for 2021-27 and deepening eurozone integration.

European Council President Donald Tusk on Thursday asked the European Parliament to approve Germany's Ursula von der Leyen as the next head of the European Commission.

European Council President Donald Tusk on Thursday asked the European Parliament to approve Germany's Ursula von der Leyen as the next head of the European Commission. "For the first time, we achieved a perfect gender balance in the top positions. Europe is not only talking about women, but it is also choosing women," Tusk told the assembly, which will vote on von der Leyen in mid-July. "I hope it will inspire the European Parliament in its decisions," he said after the bloc's 28 national leaders assigned the EU's top jobs for the five years ahead. Their three-day deliberations were messy, highlighting the splintering of the pro-European centre in the EU and its implications for future decision-making in the world's largest trading bloc and its half a billion people. But Tusk said their final decision was consensual and took less time than five years ago when the bloc had last elected its leadership to help navigate Europe on everything from trade to migration to security. "It is clear that only when we are united can we counterbalance the most powerful global players," he said. While the EU's top jobs have given solid representation for women and a balance between the conservatives, socialists and liberals, eastern members of the bloc have been left out, along with the Greens, who did well in May's European Parliament elections. Tusk urged that candidates from the east and Green parties be represented in second-tier jobs yet to be filled. Addressing the parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg, Slovak Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said the major challenges ahead included fighting climate change, agreeing on the bloc's budget for 2021-27 and deepening eurozone integration.

European Union's Donald Tusk asks European Parliament to approve von der Leyen

The Brexit Party's "cheerfully defiant" deputies took their seats Tuesday in the new European Parliament, turning their backs on the European anthem and insisting they will be gone by October 31, Britain's new EU exit deadline.

Nigel Farage, wearing a purple tie and light coloured suit, made a triumphant arrival as leader of the Brexit Party, which won more votes than any other national party in the European elections in May.

"Brexit MEPs have arrived in Strasbourg to be cheerfully defiant. They’ll know we’re here!," the brash Farage tweeted for parliament's inaugural session.

And the 29 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) were quick to show their defiance, standing up and turning away from a performance of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy", the European anthem, by several musicians in the 751-seat chamber.

The MEPs have castigated Britain's Conservative government for failing to take Britain out of the bloc by the original March 29 deadline and insist their election results show the wind is behind their sails.

Farage, a veteran of the EU chamber since 1999 who campaigned for Britain to leave the bloc in a 2016 referendum, warned of a "turquoise takeover" in the UK if the Conservatives failed to deliver a divorce.

His Brexit Party — whose official colour is turquoise — is the national party with the largest delegation, just ahead of the Northern League of Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini with 28 seats.

Opposite Farage were Britain's anti-Brexit Liberal Democrats, who also performed well in the EU elections and arrived in Strasbourg with bright yellow t-shirts emblazoned with "Bollocks to Brexit" and "Stop Brexit".

All in all 73 British MEPs took their seats in the assembly of the eastern French city of Strasbourg.

When Brexit happens, 27 of the British seats are to be redistributed to other countries and another 46 set aside for future EU enlargements.

Farage, who told MEPs here a few months ago he was hoping to be speaking to them for the last time, said he now expected to leave the assembly October 31.

'Very dangerous man'

His colleagues echoed his point.

"I hope to be unemployed in four months," said Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen, a Brexit Party MEP who is Danish but elected in Britain.

MEP Alexandra Phillips said her party will make sure Brexit is delivered by EU institutions and the new prime minister that the Conservative Party is to elect soon to replace Theresa May.

May resigned after failing several times to get the British parliament to endorse the divorce deal she struck in Brussels last November, with hardliners in her own party rebelling.

It led to EU leaders granting several delays for Brexit, the latest being October 31.

"We're here to put pressure on the UK government and everyone inside these institutions to make sure that the democratic mandate of the Brexit vote is actually delivered," Phillips said.

She clutched a sign saying: "Be in Britain/Leave."

Overgaard-Nielsen said: "By the end of October, we'll pack up and go home, and Britain will be independent."

Though long a thorn in the EU's side, Farage saved most of his ire for British politicians rather than eurocrats like Michel Barnier, who led the EU's negotiations with May's government.

"We shouldn't be here but I'm not actually particularly angry at the European Union or Mr Barnier. They've done their job and they've done it well," Farage said.&nbsp;

"It's the British political class that have done it very, very badly."

Farage sent a populist message to Theresa May and the 27 other EU leaders who were in Brussels Tuesday to decide on the bloc's top jobs following the elections.

With Britain set to leave, he said, May should abstain from voting for Dutch Social Democrat Frans Timmermans as head of the new European Commission, the EU's executive arm.

"He (Timmermans) is a fanatic, he wants to crush the nation-state, he wants a United States of Europe," Farage said. "He's a very dangerous man in my opinion."

The Brexit Party's "cheerfully defiant" deputies took their seats Tuesday in the new European Parliament, turning their backs on the European anthem and insisting they will be gone by October 31, Britain's new EU exit deadline.

The Brexit Party's "cheerfully defiant" deputies took their seats Tuesday in the new European Parliament, turning their backs on the European anthem and insisting they will be gone by October 31, Britain's new EU exit deadline. Nigel Farage, wearing a purple tie and light coloured suit, made a triumphant arrival as leader of the Brexit Party, which won more votes than any other national party in the European elections in May. "Brexit MEPs have arrived in Strasbourg to be cheerfully defiant. They’ll know we’re here!," the brash Farage tweeted for parliament's inaugural session. And the 29 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) were quick to show their defiance, standing up and turning away from a performance of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy", the European anthem, by several musicians in the 751-seat chamber. The MEPs have castigated Britain's Conservative government for failing to take Britain out of the bloc by the original March 29 deadline and insist their election results show the wind is behind their sails. Farage, a veteran of the EU chamber since 1999 who campaigned for Britain to leave the bloc in a 2016 referendum, warned of a "turquoise takeover" in the UK if the Conservatives failed to deliver a divorce. His Brexit Party — whose official colour is turquoise — is the national party with the largest delegation, just ahead of the Northern League of Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini with 28 seats. Opposite Farage were Britain's anti-Brexit Liberal Democrats, who also performed well in the EU elections and arrived in Strasbourg with bright yellow t-shirts emblazoned with "Bollocks to Brexit" and "Stop Brexit". All in all 73 British MEPs took their seats in the assembly of the eastern French city of Strasbourg. When Brexit happens, 27 of the British seats are to be redistributed to other countries and another 46 set aside for future EU enlargements. Farage, who told MEPs here a few months ago he was hoping to be speaking to them for the last time, said he now expected to leave the assembly October 31. 'Very dangerous man' His colleagues echoed his point. "I hope to be unemployed in four months," said Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen, a Brexit Party MEP who is Danish but elected in Britain. MEP Alexandra Phillips said her party will make sure Brexit is delivered by EU institutions and the new prime minister that the Conservative Party is to elect soon to replace Theresa May. May resigned after failing several times to get the British parliament to endorse the divorce deal she struck in Brussels last November, with hardliners in her own party rebelling. It led to EU leaders granting several delays for Brexit, the latest being October 31. "We're here to put pressure on the UK government and everyone inside these institutions to make sure that the democratic mandate of the Brexit vote is actually delivered," Phillips said. She clutched a sign saying: "Be in Britain/Leave." Overgaard-Nielsen said: "By the end of October, we'll pack up and go home, and Britain will be independent." Though long a thorn in the EU's side, Farage saved most of his ire for British politicians rather than eurocrats like Michel Barnier, who led the EU's negotiations with May's government. "We shouldn't be here but I'm not actually particularly angry at the European Union or Mr Barnier. They've done their job and they've done it well," Farage said. "It's the British political class that have done it very, very badly." Farage sent a populist message to Theresa May and the 27 other EU leaders who were in Brussels Tuesday to decide on the bloc's top jobs following the elections. With Britain set to leave, he said, May should abstain from voting for Dutch Social Democrat Frans Timmermans as head of the new European Commission, the EU's executive arm. "He (Timmermans) is a fanatic, he wants to crush the nation-state, he wants a United States of Europe," Farage said. "He's a very dangerous man in my opinion."

Pro-Brexit MEPs turn backs at European anthem in European Parliament

Steel is being diverted to Europe as a result of US&nbsp;25 per cent tariffs and the European Union needs to act, the European steel industry chiefs say a letter sent to EU leaders and EU institutions.

There has been a sudden downturn in the European steel industry's prospects, underpinned by long-term trends, 45 chief executives representing around 90 per cent&nbsp;of the EU's steel output said in the letter.

"Global overcapacity in steel and the use of the EU market as a dumping ground for the world's excess capacity are at the root of the problem," they said in the letter sent on Monday and seen by Reuters.

Steel imports into the EU have more than doubled since 2013 while demand had increased only marginally and is seen falling in 2019, they said.

The European Commission is currently reviewing its "safeguard" measures designed to limit incoming steel and prevent a surge of imports as a result of Washington's 25% import tariffs, which have effectively closed the U.S. market.

These safeguard measures should be tightened, the steel chiefs said.

Currently, quotas are set at the average level of imports in 2015-2017 plus 5%, with further 5% hikes envisaged on July 1 and a year later. Beyond these quotas, 25% tariffs apply.

The steel bosses urged EU countries, the European Parliament and the European Commission to convene an emergency meeting with the industry to discuss solutions.

The signatories include the chiefs and regional chiefs of steel and stainless steel producers ArcelorMittal, ThyssenKrupp, Tata Steel and Acerinox.

ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker, announced production cuts twice in May, while British Steel collapsed into liquidation.

Steel is being diverted to Europe as a result of US 25 per cent tariffs and the European Union needs to act, the European steel industry chiefs say a letter sent to EU leaders and EU institutions.

Steel is being diverted to Europe as a result of US 25 per cent tariffs and the European Union needs to act, the European steel industry chiefs say a letter sent to EU leaders and EU institutions. There has been a sudden downturn in the European steel industry's prospects, underpinned by long-term trends, 45 chief executives representing around 90 per cent of the EU's steel output said in the letter. "Global overcapacity in steel and the use of the EU market as a dumping ground for the world's excess capacity are at the root of the problem," they said in the letter sent on Monday and seen by Reuters. Steel imports into the EU have more than doubled since 2013 while demand had increased only marginally and is seen falling in 2019, they said. The European Commission is currently reviewing its "safeguard" measures designed to limit incoming steel and prevent a surge of imports as a result of Washington's 25% import tariffs, which have effectively closed the U.S. market. These safeguard measures should be tightened, the steel chiefs said. Currently, quotas are set at the average level of imports in 2015-2017 plus 5%, with further 5% hikes envisaged on July 1 and a year later. Beyond these quotas, 25% tariffs apply. The steel bosses urged EU countries, the European Parliament and the European Commission to convene an emergency meeting with the industry to discuss solutions. The signatories include the chiefs and regional chiefs of steel and stainless steel producers ArcelorMittal, ThyssenKrupp, Tata Steel and Acerinox. ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker, announced production cuts twice in May, while British Steel collapsed into liquidation.

European Union needs to act on steel imports in wake of United States tariffs: Industry

By Viviane Gravey

European politics has been seriously shaken up by this month’s parliamentary election. The centre-left/centre-right coalition that has dominated European political proceedings can no longer command a majority in the European Parliament. Eurosceptic parties, meanwhile, made smaller gains than expected.

That has opened up an opportunity for Europe’s green parties, which made big gains and now hold 69 seats in the 751 seat chamber.

This historic showing means environmentalist parties could hold the balance of power. Green MEPs sit in a transnational political group called Greens/European Free Alliance, together with MEPs from regionalist parties including the UK’s Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru. By far the strongest supporters of climate and environmental action in the last parliament, the alliance will seek to leverage its burgeoning influence on key EU policies. It could also play an important role in choosing the EU’s new personnel – including the successor to European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.

A greener president?

Environmentalists will be thankful that Brexit has been delayed until (at least) October, because it means that UK MEPs will probably still be around to play a part in choosing the new European Commission. The UK Green party delivered a particularly strong result, taking seven seats, along with the Scottish Nationalist Party’s three and one for Plaid Cymru. As a result, the Greens also now have more say over upcoming votes for the European Parliament’s president, 14 vice-presidents and 22 committee chairs that lead legislative negotiations on all policy areas.

In the past MEPs have pushed for the Commission presidency to go to the lead candidate of the political group winning the most seats in the election, which would be the right-leaning European People’s Party’s Manfred Weber. But many EU heads of state (notably Emmanuel Macron in France, Pedro Sanchez in Spain and Mark Rutte in the Netherlands) are unhappy with this approach and would like the Parliament to endorse someone else.

With no candidate able to command a majority by aligning with just one other party, political manoeuvring will be needed, in both the council and the parliament. With backing from the Green group, a strong challenge to Weber could be brought by a broad coalition between the centre-left and the centrist Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe. As potential kingmakers, expect the Greens to try to extract environmental promises from leading candidates. Weber has very poor credentials on this front.

Greener agriculture and trade

Once the new commission starts work in November, Green MEPs will have the opportunity to shape future EU policy. In the last European Parliament, the grand centre-left, centre-right coalition decided 74 per cent of votes, leaving smaller groups at the fringes of power. With a more fragmented European Parliament, smaller groups will now be key to establishing a majority, and coalitions will be much more changeable.

Despite the Greens’ rise, they remain a relatively small group. Their influence will depend on their ability to reach compromises with other parties when necessary – and to know when to pick their battles. Based on their past activities and their manifesto, two such likely red lines will be reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the EU’s trade policy.

During the last reform in 2013, the European Parliament weakened the CAP by making it easier for farmers to qualify for green subsidies without actually changing their practices. More recently, the agriculture committee has supported a proposal to automatically label 40 per cent&nbsp;of CAP spending as “climate expenditure”, writing what Green MEPs called a “blank cheque” on climate change. Meanwhile, the European Commission sat on a report highlighting how little the CAP does for the climate for a year, quietly publishing it a day after the recent elections. This time around, we can expect the Green MEPs riding the resurgent climate wave to push for reform that puts delivery on climate change goals much higher up the agenda.

The Greens are also strong critics of EU trade policy. They have long called for more democratic scrutiny and public consultation by the European Parliament to make trade more environmentally sound. They have pushed for a greater emphasis on improved labour conditions and trade deals which do not undermine the EU’s environmental and emissions targets. We can expect Green MEPs to hold other political parties accountable for their climate change pledges – and to influence the environmental requirements in EU trade policy in the future.

Finally, as staunch defenders of the rule of law and the right to asylum, the larger Green group will also hope to exert influence on the EU’s long-awaited revision to its asylum system, and on how parliament deals with attacks on the rule of law in Hungary and Poland.

The Greens will be keen to influence affairs as much as they can before the UK leaves the EU – when it will lose nearly 20 per cent&nbsp;of its MEPs. They will also still be reliant on how seriously other parties now take the union’s climate and environmental commitments.

(Viviane Gravey is Lecturer in European Politics, Queen's University Belfast)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-green-surge-could-mean-for-the-new-european-parliament-117953">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

By Viviane Gravey European politics has been seriously shaken up by this month’s parliamentary election. The centre-left/centre-right coalition that has dominated European political proceedings can no longer command a majority in the European Parliament.

By Viviane Gravey European politics has been seriously shaken up by this month’s parliamentary election. The centre-left/centre-right coalition that has dominated European political proceedings can no longer command a majority in the European Parliament. Eurosceptic parties, meanwhile, made smaller gains than expected. That has opened up an opportunity for Europe’s green parties, which made big gains and now hold 69 seats in the 751 seat chamber. This historic showing means environmentalist parties could hold the balance of power. Green MEPs sit in a transnational political group called Greens/European Free Alliance, together with MEPs from regionalist parties including the UK’s Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru. By far the strongest supporters of climate and environmental action in the last parliament, the alliance will seek to leverage its burgeoning influence on key EU policies. It could also play an important role in choosing the EU’s new personnel – including the successor to European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker. A greener president? Environmentalists will be thankful that Brexit has been delayed until (at least) October, because it means that UK MEPs will probably still be around to play a part in choosing the new European Commission. The UK Green party delivered a particularly strong result, taking seven seats, along with the Scottish Nationalist Party’s three and one for Plaid Cymru. As a result, the Greens also now have more say over upcoming votes for the European Parliament’s president, 14 vice-presidents and 22 committee chairs that lead legislative negotiations on all policy areas. In the past MEPs have pushed for the Commission presidency to go to the lead candidate of the political group winning the most seats in the election, which would be the right-leaning European People’s Party’s Manfred Weber. But many EU heads of state (notably Emmanuel Macron in France, Pedro Sanchez in Spain and Mark Rutte in the Netherlands) are unhappy with this approach and would like the Parliament to endorse someone else. With no candidate able to command a majority by aligning with just one other party, political manoeuvring will be needed, in both the council and the parliament. With backing from the Green group, a strong challenge to Weber could be brought by a broad coalition between the centre-left and the centrist Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe. As potential kingmakers, expect the Greens to try to extract environmental promises from leading candidates. Weber has very poor credentials on this front. Greener agriculture and trade Once the new commission starts work in November, Green MEPs will have the opportunity to shape future EU policy. In the last European Parliament, the grand centre-left, centre-right coalition decided 74 per cent of votes, leaving smaller groups at the fringes of power. With a more fragmented European Parliament, smaller groups will now be key to establishing a majority, and coalitions will be much more changeable. Despite the Greens’ rise, they remain a relatively small group. Their influence will depend on their ability to reach compromises with other parties when necessary – and to know when to pick their battles. Based on their past activities and their manifesto, two such likely red lines will be reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the EU’s trade policy. During the last reform in 2013, the European Parliament weakened the CAP by making it easier for farmers to qualify for green subsidies without actually changing their practices. More recently, the agriculture committee has supported a proposal to automatically label 40 per cent of CAP spending as “climate expenditure”, writing what Green MEPs called a “blank cheque” on climate change. Meanwhile, the European Commission sat on a report highlighting how little the CAP does for the climate for a year, quietly publishing it a day after the recent elections. This time around, we can expect the Green MEPs riding the resurgent climate wave to push for reform that puts delivery on climate change goals much higher up the agenda. The Greens are also strong critics of EU trade policy. They have long called for more democratic scrutiny and public consultation by the European Parliament to make trade more environmentally sound. They have pushed for a greater emphasis on improved labour conditions and trade deals which do not undermine the EU’s environmental and emissions targets. We can expect Green MEPs to hold other political parties accountable for their climate change pledges – and to influence the environmental requirements in EU trade policy in the future. Finally, as staunch defenders of the rule of law and the right to asylum, the larger Green group will also hope to exert influence on the EU’s long-awaited revision to its asylum system, and on how parliament deals with attacks on the rule of law in Hungary and Poland. The Greens will be keen to influence affairs as much as they can before the UK leaves the EU – when it will lose nearly 20 per cent of its MEPs. They will also still be reliant on how seriously other parties now take the union’s climate and environmental commitments. (Viviane Gravey is Lecturer in European Politics, Queen's University Belfast) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

What Green surge could mean for the new European Parliament

British Prime Minister Theresa May told reporters that losses suffered by both Conservatives and Labour during European Parliament elections showed the importance of delivering on Brexit.

UK PM May's 'regret' over not delivering Brexit

Voter turnout at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-elections-kick-off-as-dutch-polls-open-220854">European Parliament elections </a>has dropped steadily over the years, hitting a record low of 43 per cent at the last poll in 2014.

As the May 23-26 elections for the European Union's assembly wind up, here is an overview.

Staying away&nbsp;

In 1979, at the first direct election for representatives to the European Parliament, just 38 per cent of voters stayed away.

Since then voter turnout for the five-yearly election has progressively fallen, with a record 57 per cent of voters abstaining in 2014.

At the same time, however, the powers of the parliament have increased.

Having had limited scope in 1979, Euro-MPs can now co-legislate in some areas alongside national ministers in the EU Council.

EU distant&nbsp;

In almost all EU countries more people vote at national general polls than for the European Parliament.

The gap is on average 25 percentage points across the bloc, Sciences Po university professor Olivier Rozenberg told AFP.

EU citizens feel "less close" to the European elections than polls at their national and local levels, the Jacques Delors Institute think-tank said in a 2014 report.

In a September 2018 survey, 48 per cent of Europeans said they "believe that their voice counts in the EU", according to the Eurobarometer polling body.

This rose to 62 per cent for their own countries, its survey found.

Compulsory vote scrapped&nbsp;

In 1979 voting was compulsory in three countries -- Belgium, Italy and Luxembourg -- of the nine that made up the precursor to the European Union, the European Economic Community.

The three accounted for a quarter of the bloc's voters.

That proportion dropped to about five per cent as new members joined and Italy dropped the obligation to vote in the 1990s, which "probably played a major role in the decline in overall voting rates at the European elections," the Jacques Delors Institute said.

In the forthcoming elections, voting is compulsory in five countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece and Luxembourg.

This is not a guarantee of turnout, however, as many voters choose to not cast ballots anyway.

While abstention is weak in Belgium and Luxembourg at between 10 and 15 per cent, in Greece it was 40 per cent at the 2014 poll, and 56 per cent in Cyprus.

Record abstention in the east&nbsp;

Slovakia posted the highest abstention rate of 87 per cent at the 2014 poll.&nbsp;

Ten of the 12 countries with the lowest turnouts were from the former communist bloc in the east, young countries that are the most recent to join the EU.

Voting in these nations is "a little less sacred" than in other European countries, Rozenberg said.

"For us (western countries) voting is synonymous with democracy, while this link is less clear in Eastern countries where there are still memories of non-pluralist elections," he said.

Politics in eastern countries is also more fluid, with parties regularly changing names and alliances.

"That does not favour partisan identity and therefore the vote," Rozenberg said.

Founding countries not spared&nbsp;

With the exception of Belgium and Luxembourg, the EU's founding members have also seen higher numbers of voters snubbing the European Parliament polls.

In France and The Netherlands, abstention reached around 60 per cent in 2014, from 40 per cent in 1979.

In Italy, it was at 43 per cent from 14 per cent over the same period, and in Germany, it was at 50 per cent from 34 per cent.

The stay-away rates have nonetheless stabilised since 2004 in France and Germany.

This can be explained by an awareness among people "that the European Union is part of the problem and perhaps of the solution" of the various challenges facing Europe, Rozenberg said.

Voter turnout at European Parliament elections has dropped steadily over the years, hitting a record low of 43 per cent at the last poll in 2014. As the May 23-26 elections for the European Union's assembly wind up, here is an overview.

Voter turnout at European Parliament elections has dropped steadily over the years, hitting a record low of 43 per cent at the last poll in 2014. As the May 23-26 elections for the European Union's assembly wind up, here is an overview. Staying away In 1979, at the first direct election for representatives to the European Parliament, just 38 per cent of voters stayed away. Since then voter turnout for the five-yearly election has progressively fallen, with a record 57 per cent of voters abstaining in 2014. At the same time, however, the powers of the parliament have increased. Having had limited scope in 1979, Euro-MPs can now co-legislate in some areas alongside national ministers in the EU Council. EU distant In almost all EU countries more people vote at national general polls than for the European Parliament. The gap is on average 25 percentage points across the bloc, Sciences Po university professor Olivier Rozenberg told AFP. EU citizens feel "less close" to the European elections than polls at their national and local levels, the Jacques Delors Institute think-tank said in a 2014 report. In a September 2018 survey, 48 per cent of Europeans said they "believe that their voice counts in the EU", according to the Eurobarometer polling body. This rose to 62 per cent for their own countries, its survey found. Compulsory vote scrapped In 1979 voting was compulsory in three countries -- Belgium, Italy and Luxembourg -- of the nine that made up the precursor to the European Union, the European Economic Community. The three accounted for a quarter of the bloc's voters. That proportion dropped to about five per cent as new members joined and Italy dropped the obligation to vote in the 1990s, which "probably played a major role in the decline in overall voting rates at the European elections," the Jacques Delors Institute said. In the forthcoming elections, voting is compulsory in five countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece and Luxembourg. This is not a guarantee of turnout, however, as many voters choose to not cast ballots anyway. While abstention is weak in Belgium and Luxembourg at between 10 and 15 per cent, in Greece it was 40 per cent at the 2014 poll, and 56 per cent in Cyprus. Record abstention in the east Slovakia posted the highest abstention rate of 87 per cent at the 2014 poll. Ten of the 12 countries with the lowest turnouts were from the former communist bloc in the east, young countries that are the most recent to join the EU. Voting in these nations is "a little less sacred" than in other European countries, Rozenberg said. "For us (western countries) voting is synonymous with democracy, while this link is less clear in Eastern countries where there are still memories of non-pluralist elections," he said. Politics in eastern countries is also more fluid, with parties regularly changing names and alliances. "That does not favour partisan identity and therefore the vote," Rozenberg said. Founding countries not spared With the exception of Belgium and Luxembourg, the EU's founding members have also seen higher numbers of voters snubbing the European Parliament polls. In France and The Netherlands, abstention reached around 60 per cent in 2014, from 40 per cent in 1979. In Italy, it was at 43 per cent from 14 per cent over the same period, and in Germany, it was at 50 per cent from 34 per cent. The stay-away rates have nonetheless stabilised since 2004 in France and Germany. This can be explained by an awareness among people "that the European Union is part of the problem and perhaps of the solution" of the various challenges facing Europe, Rozenberg said.

Why turnout has dropped in European elections

Besides electing their new<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-elections-kick-off-as-dutch-polls-open-220854"> European Parliament </a>members on Sunday, Romanians will be taking part in another vote, a referendum which their president says lets voters express their frustration over corruption.

President Klaus Iohannis called the referendum over the government's controversial justice reforms, which he and other critics say will hand impunity to politicians convicted of graft offences in what is one of the EU's most corruption-prone states.

Why a referendum?&nbsp;

Centre-right President Iohannis has been a consistent and trenchant critic of the justice reforms that the left-wing government has tried to push since coming to power in late 2016.

Brussels has also frequently criticised the measures, with the European Commission recently threatening sanctions could follow if the government doesn't change course.

The reforms are widely seen as designed to help the head of the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea, who has himself been convicted of corruption offences.

Iohannis has stymied some of the reforms and delayed others from coming into force but says that he lacks the means definitively to prevent what he terms "an attack on the rule of law".

The PSD made a previous attempt to ease anti-corruption legislation in 2017 but had to back down after the plans sparked the biggest demonstrations since the fall of communism.

What will be the questions?&nbsp;

Voters will have two questions on the ballot paper. First,&nbsp;"Do you approve of a ban on any amnesty or pardon for corruption-related offences?"

Secondly,&nbsp;"Do you approve of a ban on emergency decrees to change criminal penalties?"

One of Iohannis' main criticisms of the government has been its attempted use of such emergency decrees to pass controversial measures.

Will it be binding?&nbsp;

Not in and of itself. If there is a "yes" vote on either measure, parliament is supposed to make the proposed law.

But the PSD enjoys a majority in parliament and there is no way of actually forcing MPs to do this.

Moreover, at least 30 per cent of voters -- out of an electorate of 18.3 million -- have to take part in the vote in order for it to be considered valid.

This threshold might not be reached, with several PSD figures calling for a boycott.

The PSD last year called on voters to back a referendum to prevent any future legalisation of gay marriage, but that vote also failed due to insufficient turnout.

Turnout figures should be available on Sunday evening, but the result will only be published on Monday.

What other effects could it have?&nbsp;

According to legal expert Laura Stefan from the think tank Expert Forum, a "yes" vote with a strong turnout would prove that the fight against corruption is still a top priority for Romanians and would strengthen Iohannis's position.

It would also be a slap in the face for the PSD -- which has portrayed the fight against corruption as a "witch-hunt" -- as well as for Dragnea, the party's eminence grise.

But the vote isn't without risks for Iohannis, who is standing for re-election as president in the autumn.

A low turnout could weaken him going into that poll.

Dragnea himself is set to announce after the close of polls on Sunday whether he himself will run against Iohannis in the presidential elections.

A verdict is expected on Monday in Dragnea's appeal against a conviction he received last year over a fake jobs scandal.

A previous conviction for electoral fraud prevented Dragnea from becoming prime minister after the PSD's 2016 election victory but would not stop him becoming president.

Besides electing their new European Parliament members on Sunday, Romanians will be taking part in another vote, a referendum which their president says lets voters express their frustration over corruption.

Besides electing their new European Parliament members on Sunday, Romanians will be taking part in another vote, a referendum which their president says lets voters express their frustration over corruption. President Klaus Iohannis called the referendum over the government's controversial justice reforms, which he and other critics say will hand impunity to politicians convicted of graft offences in what is one of the EU's most corruption-prone states. Why a referendum? Centre-right President Iohannis has been a consistent and trenchant critic of the justice reforms that the left-wing government has tried to push since coming to power in late 2016. Brussels has also frequently criticised the measures, with the European Commission recently threatening sanctions could follow if the government doesn't change course. The reforms are widely seen as designed to help the head of the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea, who has himself been convicted of corruption offences. Iohannis has stymied some of the reforms and delayed others from coming into force but says that he lacks the means definitively to prevent what he terms "an attack on the rule of law". The PSD made a previous attempt to ease anti-corruption legislation in 2017 but had to back down after the plans sparked the biggest demonstrations since the fall of communism. What will be the questions? Voters will have two questions on the ballot paper. First, "Do you approve of a ban on any amnesty or pardon for corruption-related offences?" Secondly, "Do you approve of a ban on emergency decrees to change criminal penalties?" One of Iohannis' main criticisms of the government has been its attempted use of such emergency decrees to pass controversial measures. Will it be binding? Not in and of itself. If there is a "yes" vote on either measure, parliament is supposed to make the proposed law. But the PSD enjoys a majority in parliament and there is no way of actually forcing MPs to do this. Moreover, at least 30 per cent of voters -- out of an electorate of 18.3 million -- have to take part in the vote in order for it to be considered valid. This threshold might not be reached, with several PSD figures calling for a boycott. The PSD last year called on voters to back a referendum to prevent any future legalisation of gay marriage, but that vote also failed due to insufficient turnout. Turnout figures should be available on Sunday evening, but the result will only be published on Monday. What other effects could it have? According to legal expert Laura Stefan from the think tank Expert Forum, a "yes" vote with a strong turnout would prove that the fight against corruption is still a top priority for Romanians and would strengthen Iohannis's position. It would also be a slap in the face for the PSD -- which has portrayed the fight against corruption as a "witch-hunt" -- as well as for Dragnea, the party's eminence grise. But the vote isn't without risks for Iohannis, who is standing for re-election as president in the autumn. A low turnout could weaken him going into that poll. Dragnea himself is set to announce after the close of polls on Sunday whether he himself will run against Iohannis in the presidential elections. A verdict is expected on Monday in Dragnea's appeal against a conviction he received last year over a fake jobs scandal. A previous conviction for electoral fraud prevented Dragnea from becoming prime minister after the PSD's 2016 election victory but would not stop him becoming president.

Romania's anti-corruption referendum explained

Compulsory voting to proxy voting to voting online: How 21 countries vote in European elections

Rachel Johnson glanced at her phone during her European Parliament election campaign launch and saw her Brexit-backing brother Boris, the former foreign secretary, revealing he will run for prime minister.

Despite her moment in the media spotlight being somewhat stolen, the seasoned 53-year-old journalist and one-time reality television star -- who wants to keep Britain in the EU -- appeared unfazed.

Her brother's premiership ambitions have been an open secret since he quit Prime Minister Theresa May's cabinet in frustration at her Brexit strategy last July.

If bookies' frontrunner Boris becomes the next Conservative leader when May goes, he would push a more gung-ho pro-Brexit platform -- the antithesis to his sister's beliefs.

"I understand this sense of not wanting other people telling you what to do, people you haven't voted for. I get it," Rachel said about Brexit supporters.

"But I think we've been stronger in the EU and I think the EU is stronger with us in it. And for that reason, I regard this as an existential question."

The debate tearing at the Johnson family is identical to one that has soured moods in households across Britain since the island kingdom voted in 2016 to end its four decades of membership in the European project.

Boris is adamant that it marked the start of a bright and independent future. Rachel is horrified at the idea of Britain losing its European identity.

"I couldn't look back on my fifties and have my grandchildren say to me: 'Grandma, what did you do when Nigel Farage took over the country?'."

Former UKIP leader Farage's new Brexit Party is campaigning on the single issue of getting Britain out of the EU by any means and as quickly as possible.

Polls suggest his party finishing first, with nearly a third of the vote, when Britons cast their ballots on Thursday.

'Johnson in Brussels'

In contrast, Rachel's nascent pro-EU party, Change UK, is in the low single figures.

Formed by a small group of disgruntled former Labour and Conservative lawmakers trying to fill a middle ground void created by the Brexit divide, it is struggling to break through.

But Rachel's own chances in the European elections look decent.

Her party is polling strongest in the southwest England constituency where she is standing.&nbsp;

The mother-of-three has the added advantage of heading the party list.

And then there is the Johnson brand name.

She is just a year younger than Boris and topped with the same mop of blonde hair that keeps spilling into her eyes.

The two are charismatic and filled with a youthful energy that seems to draw in the people around them.

If her brother becomes prime minister and she is elected, could it set up a political rivalry with a unique diplomatic dimension?

Victory for both, some have suggested, could turn Rachel into an unlikely informal mediator between Brussels and a UK government headed by Boris in the heat of history-making Brexit talks.

"That's a great job description and I would do that job with pleasure," Rachel told AFP during a stump appearance Thursday in southwest England's Roman spa town of Bath -- her very first as a candidate in next week's European Parliament elections.

"I could be his Johnson in Brussels -- like our man in Moscow."

'We are all doomed'

Yet Change UK's broader efforts to resonate with voters have been far from smooth.

Her campaign video froze part-way through and she ended up being introduced to voters at Bath Cricket Club with an awkward silence.

Her aides tried to help out by launching a passionate round of applause. The couple of dozen elderly supporters who turned up eventually joined in.

Rachel seemed undeterred as she strolled into the room with a confident grin.

She drew natural laughs and cheers during a snappy eight-minute campaign speech -- her first -- delivered without any notes.

Its message seemed simple and honest: Change UK must keep fighting even if it gets thumped on May 23.

"If the Brexit Party does as well as the polls suggest it will do, that will confirm the government in its mission to deliver a devastating no-deal Brexit," she said.

"And then we are all doomed."

Rachel Johnson glanced at her phone during her European Parliament election campaign launch and saw her Brexit-backing brother Boris, the former foreign secretary, revealing he will run for prime minister.

Rachel Johnson glanced at her phone during her European Parliament election campaign launch and saw her Brexit-backing brother Boris, the former foreign secretary, revealing he will run for prime minister. Despite her moment in the media spotlight being somewhat stolen, the seasoned 53-year-old journalist and one-time reality television star -- who wants to keep Britain in the EU -- appeared unfazed. Her brother's premiership ambitions have been an open secret since he quit Prime Minister Theresa May's cabinet in frustration at her Brexit strategy last July. If bookies' frontrunner Boris becomes the next Conservative leader when May goes, he would push a more gung-ho pro-Brexit platform -- the antithesis to his sister's beliefs. "I understand this sense of not wanting other people telling you what to do, people you haven't voted for. I get it," Rachel said about Brexit supporters. "But I think we've been stronger in the EU and I think the EU is stronger with us in it. And for that reason, I regard this as an existential question." The debate tearing at the Johnson family is identical to one that has soured moods in households across Britain since the island kingdom voted in 2016 to end its four decades of membership in the European project. Boris is adamant that it marked the start of a bright and independent future. Rachel is horrified at the idea of Britain losing its European identity. "I couldn't look back on my fifties and have my grandchildren say to me: 'Grandma, what did you do when Nigel Farage took over the country?'." Former UKIP leader Farage's new Brexit Party is campaigning on the single issue of getting Britain out of the EU by any means and as quickly as possible. Polls suggest his party finishing first, with nearly a third of the vote, when Britons cast their ballots on Thursday. 'Johnson in Brussels' In contrast, Rachel's nascent pro-EU party, Change UK, is in the low single figures. Formed by a small group of disgruntled former Labour and Conservative lawmakers trying to fill a middle ground void created by the Brexit divide, it is struggling to break through. But Rachel's own chances in the European elections look decent. Her party is polling strongest in the southwest England constituency where she is standing. The mother-of-three has the added advantage of heading the party list. And then there is the Johnson brand name. She is just a year younger than Boris and topped with the same mop of blonde hair that keeps spilling into her eyes. The two are charismatic and filled with a youthful energy that seems to draw in the people around them. If her brother becomes prime minister and she is elected, could it set up a political rivalry with a unique diplomatic dimension? Victory for both, some have suggested, could turn Rachel into an unlikely informal mediator between Brussels and a UK government headed by Boris in the heat of history-making Brexit talks. "That's a great job description and I would do that job with pleasure," Rachel told AFP during a stump appearance Thursday in southwest England's Roman spa town of Bath -- her very first as a candidate in next week's European Parliament elections. "I could be his Johnson in Brussels -- like our man in Moscow." 'We are all doomed' Yet Change UK's broader efforts to resonate with voters have been far from smooth. Her campaign video froze part-way through and she ended up being introduced to voters at Bath Cricket Club with an awkward silence. Her aides tried to help out by launching a passionate round of applause. The couple of dozen elderly supporters who turned up eventually joined in. Rachel seemed undeterred as she strolled into the room with a confident grin. She drew natural laughs and cheers during a snappy eight-minute campaign speech -- her first -- delivered without any notes. Its message seemed simple and honest: Change UK must keep fighting even if it gets thumped on May 23. "If the Brexit Party does as well as the polls suggest it will do, that will confirm the government in its mission to deliver a devastating no-deal Brexit," she said. "And then we are all doomed."

Johnson and Johnson: UK sibling rivalry at heart of EU vote

Expressing its concern over "persecution of religious minorities" in Pakistan, the European Union (EU) has threatened to suspend all subsidies and trade preferences to Islamabad if it does not take measures to "dismantle" its "discriminatory system".

In a letter to Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday, fifty-one members of the European Parliament said, "Over the last few years, religious extremist groups, often with the support of the Pakistani State, have grown in influence, further generating religious prejudices against minorities. Concomitantly, instances of attacks against minorities, their places of worship etc. have also increased year upon year."

"As members of the European Parliament, we would wish to remind the Islamic Republic of Pakistan that the oppression of religious minorities violated the United Nations treaty on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which is the foundation for the International Convent on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), a binding UN human rights agreement. We would be compelled to suspend all subsidies and trade preferences until the effective implementation of the Convention could be assured by the Government of Pakistan," it added.

The Commission held previous and present Pakistan governments responsible for contributing and encouraging "acts of violence against minorities by radical Islamic groups", EP Today reported.

Expressing "grave concern" over the case of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who had been falsely charged under the draconian blasphemy law, the EU wrote, "The existence of such religious discriminatory laws encourage citizens to engage in intolerant and violent acts against non-Muslims."Citing a report by the NGO, Movement for Solidarity and Peace in Pakistan, EU noted that at least 1000 girls belonging to religious minority groups, Christian and Hindu communities, often minors, are "kidnapped and forced to marry Muslim men every year".&nbsp;

Expressing its concern over "persecution of religious minorities" in Pakistan, the European Union (EU) has threatened to suspend all subsidies and trade preferences to Islamabad if it does not take measures to "dismantle" its "discriminatory system".

Expressing its concern over "persecution of religious minorities" in Pakistan, the European Union (EU) has threatened to suspend all subsidies and trade preferences to Islamabad if it does not take measures to "dismantle" its "discriminatory system". In a letter to Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday, fifty-one members of the European Parliament said, "Over the last few years, religious extremist groups, often with the support of the Pakistani State, have grown in influence, further generating religious prejudices against minorities. Concomitantly, instances of attacks against minorities, their places of worship etc. have also increased year upon year." "As members of the European Parliament, we would wish to remind the Islamic Republic of Pakistan that the oppression of religious minorities violated the United Nations treaty on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which is the foundation for the International Convent on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), a binding UN human rights agreement. We would be compelled to suspend all subsidies and trade preferences until the effective implementation of the Convention could be assured by the Government of Pakistan," it added. The Commission held previous and present Pakistan governments responsible for contributing and encouraging "acts of violence against minorities by radical Islamic groups", EP Today reported. Expressing "grave concern" over the case of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who had been falsely charged under the draconian blasphemy law, the EU wrote, "The existence of such religious discriminatory laws encourage citizens to engage in intolerant and violent acts against non-Muslims."Citing a report by the NGO, Movement for Solidarity and Peace in Pakistan, EU noted that at least 1000 girls belonging to religious minority groups, Christian and Hindu communities, often minors, are "kidnapped and forced to marry Muslim men every year".

Concerned over minority persecution, European Union threatens to suspend all subsidies to Pakistan

The far-right deputy mayor of Adolf Hitler's hometown, whose poem comparing migrants to rats sparked uproar, will step down, his Freedom Party (FPOe) said Tuesday.&nbsp;

The poem by Christian Schilcher, deputy mayor of the town of Braunau am Inn in Upper Austria, used the image of foreign rats integrating with Austrian ones to illustrate the dangers of "mixing" cultures and languages.

FPOe leader and Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache said that Schilcher would quit his job and leave the FPOe "in order to avert any damage to the party".

The row overshadowed the FPOe's campaign launch ahead of European Parliament elections next month.

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who has led a coalition between the FPOe and his own centre-right People's Party (OeVP) since late 2017, praised Strache's "clear actions".

"The resignation of the deputy mayor of Braunau was the only logical outcome of this abominable and racist poem," Kurz said.

Both Kurz's and Strache's parties have run on anti-immigration platforms but with May's elections looming Kurz has come under pressure to condemn outbursts from FPOe members.

The opposition Social Democrats (SPOe) said the coalition should be dissolved to protect "the country's image".

"There has to be a democratic consensus that human beings cannot be denigrated, insulted or humiliated," SPOe leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner said on Tuesday.

Strache himself was criticised last week for a Facebook post linking to a site which has published Holocaust denial and various anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.

The far-right deputy mayor of Adolf Hitler's hometown, whose poem comparing migrants to rats sparked uproar, will step down, his Freedom Party (FPOe) said Tuesday.

The far-right deputy mayor of Adolf Hitler's hometown, whose poem comparing migrants to rats sparked uproar, will step down, his Freedom Party (FPOe) said Tuesday. The poem by Christian Schilcher, deputy mayor of the town of Braunau am Inn in Upper Austria, used the image of foreign rats integrating with Austrian ones to illustrate the dangers of "mixing" cultures and languages. FPOe leader and Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache said that Schilcher would quit his job and leave the FPOe "in order to avert any damage to the party". The row overshadowed the FPOe's campaign launch ahead of European Parliament elections next month. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who has led a coalition between the FPOe and his own centre-right People's Party (OeVP) since late 2017, praised Strache's "clear actions". "The resignation of the deputy mayor of Braunau was the only logical outcome of this abominable and racist poem," Kurz said. Both Kurz's and Strache's parties have run on anti-immigration platforms but with May's elections looming Kurz has come under pressure to condemn outbursts from FPOe members. The opposition Social Democrats (SPOe) said the coalition should be dissolved to protect "the country's image". "There has to be a democratic consensus that human beings cannot be denigrated, insulted or humiliated," SPOe leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner said on Tuesday. Strache himself was criticised last week for a Facebook post linking to a site which has published Holocaust denial and various anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.

Deputy mayor of Hitler's hometown to resign over racist poem

European parliament approves changes to controversial copyright law

EU lawmakers have endorsed an overhaul of the bloc's two-decade old <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-countries-back-copyright-reforms-aimed-at-google-facebook-198643">copyright rules</a>, which will force <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-fines-google-149-billion-euros-for-anti-trust-breach-204538">Google</a> and Facebook Inc to pay publishers for use of news snippets and make them filter out protected content.

The European Parliament backed the reforms by 348 votes to 274 on Tuesday after a debate that has pitted Europe's creative industry against tech companies, internet activists and consumer groups concerned that the new rules may be too costly and block too much content.

The European Commission began reviewing the rules two years ago in a bid to protect an industry that is worth 915 billion euros ($1.03 trillion) a year, accounting for 11.65 million jobs and 6.8 percent of the EU economy.

The new rules mean that Google and other online platforms will have to sign licensing agreements with musicians, performers, authors, news publishers and journalists to use their work online.

Google's YouTube, Facebook's Instagram and other sharing platforms will also have to install filters to prevent users from uploading copyrighted materials.

Both provisions triggered fierce lobbying from both sides.

The Commission's digital chief for Europe Andrus Ansip welcomed the outcome, saying the reforms would improve the position of writers, journalists, singers, musicians and actors vis-a-vis the big platforms using their content.

"Today's vote ensures the right balance between the interests of all players – users, creators, authors, press – while putting in place proportionate obligations on online platforms," he said in a statement.

But Google said the reforms would lead to legal uncertainty and hurt Europe's creative and digital economies. The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) echoed the criticism.

"Consumers will have to bear the consequences of this decision. Their concerns had been voiced loud and clearly but MEPs chose to ignore them," BEUC director general Monique Goyens said.

Firefox browser-maker Mozilla was scathing about the vote.

"The EU institutions have squandered the progress made by innovators and creators to imagine new content and share it with people across the world," its EU policy head Raegan MacDonald said.

"They have handed the power back to large U.S. owned record labels, film studios and big tech.

Vast swathes of online services, not just those concerning music or news, could face unintended consequences, said Raffaella De Santis at law firm Harbottle &amp; Lewis.

"Care will need to be taken to ensure that smaller services are not disproportionately disadvantaged by measures which are in reality designed to curtail the formerly unchecked power of the tech giants," she said.

Lawmaker Julia Reda, a prominent critic of the reforms, said they threatened the free internet.

"Algorithms cannot distinguish between actual copyright infringements and the perfectly legal re-use of content for purposes such as parody," she said.

But lawmaker Axel Voss, who is in charge of the subject, rejected the criticism.

"We have agreed a new set of rules which will do exactly the opposite of killing the internet," he said.

Last month, Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Poland refused to back the reforms

EU lawmakers have endorsed an overhaul of the bloc's two-decade old copyright rules, which will force Google and Facebook Inc to pay publishers for use of news snippets and make them filter out protected content.

EU lawmakers have endorsed an overhaul of the bloc's two-decade old copyright rules, which will force Google and Facebook Inc to pay publishers for use of news snippets and make them filter out protected content. The European Parliament backed the reforms by 348 votes to 274 on Tuesday after a debate that has pitted Europe's creative industry against tech companies, internet activists and consumer groups concerned that the new rules may be too costly and block too much content. The European Commission began reviewing the rules two years ago in a bid to protect an industry that is worth 915 billion euros ($1.03 trillion) a year, accounting for 11.65 million jobs and 6.8 percent of the EU economy. The new rules mean that Google and other online platforms will have to sign licensing agreements with musicians, performers, authors, news publishers and journalists to use their work online. Google's YouTube, Facebook's Instagram and other sharing platforms will also have to install filters to prevent users from uploading copyrighted materials. Both provisions triggered fierce lobbying from both sides. The Commission's digital chief for Europe Andrus Ansip welcomed the outcome, saying the reforms would improve the position of writers, journalists, singers, musicians and actors vis-a-vis the big platforms using their content. "Today's vote ensures the right balance between the interests of all players – users, creators, authors, press – while putting in place proportionate obligations on online platforms," he said in a statement. But Google said the reforms would lead to legal uncertainty and hurt Europe's creative and digital economies. The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) echoed the criticism. "Consumers will have to bear the consequences of this decision. Their concerns had been voiced loud and clearly but MEPs chose to ignore them," BEUC director general Monique Goyens said. Firefox browser-maker Mozilla was scathing about the vote. "The EU institutions have squandered the progress made by innovators and creators to imagine new content and share it with people across the world," its EU policy head Raegan MacDonald said. "They have handed the power back to large U.S. owned record labels, film studios and big tech. Vast swathes of online services, not just those concerning music or news, could face unintended consequences, said Raffaella De Santis at law firm Harbottle & Lewis. "Care will need to be taken to ensure that smaller services are not disproportionately disadvantaged by measures which are in reality designed to curtail the formerly unchecked power of the tech giants," she said. Lawmaker Julia Reda, a prominent critic of the reforms, said they threatened the free internet. "Algorithms cannot distinguish between actual copyright infringements and the perfectly legal re-use of content for purposes such as parody," she said. But lawmaker Axel Voss, who is in charge of the subject, rejected the criticism. "We have agreed a new set of rules which will do exactly the opposite of killing the internet," he said. Last month, Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Poland refused to back the reforms

Google, Facebook to pay publishers for use of news in EU

EU's Tusk urges EU Parliament to be open to long Brexit extension

The European Parliament will vote Tuesday on controversial copyright reforms championed by news publishers and the music business but criticised by big tech and internet freedom activists.

The run-up to the vote has seen furious lobbying and protests by both supporters and opponents of the law, which is designed to update European copyright legislation that is now nearly two decades old.&nbsp;

The reform, two years in the making, is loudly backed by media companies and artists, who want to obtain a better return from web platforms -- such as YouTube or Facebook -- that use their content.&nbsp;

It is strongly opposed by some of those same internet giants such as YouTube-owner Google, which make huge profits from the advertising generated on content they host, and also by supporters of a free internet, who fear it will result in unprecedented restrictions to web freedom.

Tens of thousands of protesters rallied in cities around Germany on Saturday under the slogan "Save the Internet".

Save the Internet is a collective which has been mobilised for months to defend a free exchange of opinions on the web.

There were similar protests in Austria, Poland and Portugal on Saturday.

Germany is at the heart of the anti-refrom movement, led by Julia Reda, a 32-year-old Pirate Party MEP, who has led a campaign against two of the law's provisions that have become flashpoints in the debate.

First is Article 13, which aims to strengthen the bargaining power of rights holders with platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and Soundcloud, which use their content.&nbsp;

In the reform, for the first time European law would hold platforms legally responsible for enforcing copyright, requiring them to check everything that their users post to prevent infringement.

'Neighbouring rights'

Reda and her supporters insist that Article 13 would require platforms to install expensive content filters that would automatically and often erroneously delete content from the web.

Backers of the law, led by its rapporteur MEP Axel Voss, answer that filters are not a requirement but they do not explain how companies can comply with Article 13 without them.

The second article advocates the creation of a "neighbouring right" to copyright for news media.

It should enable news companies to be better paid when their output is used by information aggregators, such as Google News, or social networks, such as Facebook.&nbsp;

Major publishers, including AFP, have pushed for the reform, seeing it as an urgent remedy to safeguard quality journalism and the plummeting earnings of traditional media companies.

But opponents have called it a "link tax" that will stifle discourse on the Internet and pay only big media companies, with no real benefits for journalists or news gatherers.

The reform is staunchly backed by France and other member states and the vote in the European Parliament was expected to be a formality.

But the opposition of influential firms such as Google as well as the grassroots movement led by Reda have put that outcome in doubt.

The European Parliament will vote Tuesday on controversial copyright reforms championed by news publishers and the music business but criticised by big tech and internet freedom activists.

The European Parliament will vote Tuesday on controversial copyright reforms championed by news publishers and the music business but criticised by big tech and internet freedom activists. The run-up to the vote has seen furious lobbying and protests by both supporters and opponents of the law, which is designed to update European copyright legislation that is now nearly two decades old. The reform, two years in the making, is loudly backed by media companies and artists, who want to obtain a better return from web platforms -- such as YouTube or Facebook -- that use their content. It is strongly opposed by some of those same internet giants such as YouTube-owner Google, which make huge profits from the advertising generated on content they host, and also by supporters of a free internet, who fear it will result in unprecedented restrictions to web freedom. Tens of thousands of protesters rallied in cities around Germany on Saturday under the slogan "Save the Internet". Save the Internet is a collective which has been mobilised for months to defend a free exchange of opinions on the web. There were similar protests in Austria, Poland and Portugal on Saturday. Germany is at the heart of the anti-refrom movement, led by Julia Reda, a 32-year-old Pirate Party MEP, who has led a campaign against two of the law's provisions that have become flashpoints in the debate. First is Article 13, which aims to strengthen the bargaining power of rights holders with platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and Soundcloud, which use their content. In the reform, for the first time European law would hold platforms legally responsible for enforcing copyright, requiring them to check everything that their users post to prevent infringement. 'Neighbouring rights' Reda and her supporters insist that Article 13 would require platforms to install expensive content filters that would automatically and often erroneously delete content from the web. Backers of the law, led by its rapporteur MEP Axel Voss, answer that filters are not a requirement but they do not explain how companies can comply with Article 13 without them. The second article advocates the creation of a "neighbouring right" to copyright for news media. It should enable news companies to be better paid when their output is used by information aggregators, such as Google News, or social networks, such as Facebook. Major publishers, including AFP, have pushed for the reform, seeing it as an urgent remedy to safeguard quality journalism and the plummeting earnings of traditional media companies. But opponents have called it a "link tax" that will stifle discourse on the Internet and pay only big media companies, with no real benefits for journalists or news gatherers. The reform is staunchly backed by France and other member states and the vote in the European Parliament was expected to be a formality. But the opposition of influential firms such as Google as well as the grassroots movement led by Reda have put that outcome in doubt.

Last hurdle for European Union copyright reform in European Parliament

Internet giant Google on Monday urged the European Parliament to resist approving a planned overhaul of the bloc's online copyright law that the company said would hurt Europe for "decades to come".

European lawmakers could vote as soon as next week on the landmark legislation that is intended to modernise copyright for the digital age but has set off a furious lobbying war in Brussels.

Tech giants, artistic creators and EU member states have battled for three years over the reform, with Google making a last-minute effort to dissuade MEPs from passing the law this month.

The biggest stumbling block has been a provision that calls for Google-owned YouTube and other platforms to remove illegal content using automatic filters or face massive liability.

Despite certain benefits, this aspect of the reform "creates vague, untested requirements" that would lead to the websites "over-blocking content", said Kent Walker, Google's senior vice president of global affairs in a blog post.

"This would be bad for creators and users, who will see online services wrongly block content simply because they need to err on the side of caution and reduce legal risks," he added.

These "unintended consequences" may "hurt Europe's creative economy for decades to come," he added.

Another bone of contention is a provision to create "neighbouring rights" -- that opponents call a link tax -- for media publishers.

News organisations, including AFP, have pushed for the move, arguing that giants like Facebook and Google make billions in revenue from advertising tied to news stories, while publishers suffer.

The planned reform "hurts small and emerging publishers, and limits consumer access to a diversity of news sources," said Walker.

"Under the directive, showing anything beyond mere facts, hyperlinks and 'individual words and very short extracts' would be restricted," he warned.

At first considered a formality, the outcome of the vote in the European Parliament is now highly uncertain.

Internet giant Google on Monday urged the European Parliament to resist approving a planned overhaul of the bloc's online copyright law that the company said would hurt Europe for "decades to come".

Internet giant Google on Monday urged the European Parliament to resist approving a planned overhaul of the bloc's online copyright law that the company said would hurt Europe for "decades to come". European lawmakers could vote as soon as next week on the landmark legislation that is intended to modernise copyright for the digital age but has set off a furious lobbying war in Brussels. Tech giants, artistic creators and EU member states have battled for three years over the reform, with Google making a last-minute effort to dissuade MEPs from passing the law this month. The biggest stumbling block has been a provision that calls for Google-owned YouTube and other platforms to remove illegal content using automatic filters or face massive liability. Despite certain benefits, this aspect of the reform "creates vague, untested requirements" that would lead to the websites "over-blocking content", said Kent Walker, Google's senior vice president of global affairs in a blog post. "This would be bad for creators and users, who will see online services wrongly block content simply because they need to err on the side of caution and reduce legal risks," he added. These "unintended consequences" may "hurt Europe's creative economy for decades to come," he added. Another bone of contention is a provision to create "neighbouring rights" -- that opponents call a link tax -- for media publishers. News organisations, including AFP, have pushed for the move, arguing that giants like Facebook and Google make billions in revenue from advertising tied to news stories, while publishers suffer. The planned reform "hurts small and emerging publishers, and limits consumer access to a diversity of news sources," said Walker. "Under the directive, showing anything beyond mere facts, hyperlinks and 'individual words and very short extracts' would be restricted," he warned. At first considered a formality, the outcome of the vote in the European Parliament is now highly uncertain.

Google fights European parliament copyright overhaul

European Union and Japanese plans to form the world’s largest free trade area cleared a significant hurdle on Monday when EU lawmakers specializing in trade backed a deal that could enter force next year.

The European Parliament’s international trade committee voted 25 in favour to 10 against to clear the deal for a final vote in the parliament’s full chamber set for December 13.

An agreement would bind two economies accounting for about a third of global gross domestic product and also signal their rejection of protectionism.

Both have faced trade tensions with Washington and remain subject to US tariffs imposed by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-at-un-urges-tougher-action-on-iran-missiles-183573">President Donald Trump</a> on imports of steel and aluminum.

Japan had been part of the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership that Trump rejected on his first day in office, turning Tokyo’s focus to other potential partners - such as the European Union.

The EU has also sought other partners after freezing TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) negotiations with the United States in 2016. It concluded an updated trade deal with Mexico earlier this year.

Both have since agreed to start trade talks with Washington.

The EU-Japan agreement will remove EU tariffs of 10 per cent on Japanese cars and 3 per cent for most car parts. It would also scrap Japanese duties of some 30 per cent on EU cheese and 15 per cent on wines and open access to public tenders in Japan.

It will also open up services markets, in particular, financial services, telecoms, e-commerce and transport.

The EU is mindful of protests against and criticism of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in 2016, which culminated in a region of Belgium threatening to destroy the deal. It finally entered force in 2017.

Critics say the EU-Japan agreement will give too much power to multinationals and could undermine environmental and labour standards, the latter because they say Japanese employees face tougher conditions and less adequate union representation.

Belgium’s regions have though given their backing.

Both Brussels and Tokyo want the agreement to enter force early in 2019 before Britain leaves the EU at the end of March.

If it does, it could apply automatically to Britain during a transition period until the end of 2020 and offer comfort to the many Japanese car makers serving the EU from British bases.

European Union and Japanese plans to form the world’s largest free trade area cleared a significant hurdle on Monday when EU lawmakers specializing in trade backed a deal that could enter force next year.

European Union and Japanese plans to form the world’s largest free trade area cleared a significant hurdle on Monday when EU lawmakers specializing in trade backed a deal that could enter force next year. The European Parliament’s international trade committee voted 25 in favour to 10 against to clear the deal for a final vote in the parliament’s full chamber set for December 13. An agreement would bind two economies accounting for about a third of global gross domestic product and also signal their rejection of protectionism. Both have faced trade tensions with Washington and remain subject to US tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on imports of steel and aluminum. Japan had been part of the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership that Trump rejected on his first day in office, turning Tokyo’s focus to other potential partners - such as the European Union. The EU has also sought other partners after freezing TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) negotiations with the United States in 2016. It concluded an updated trade deal with Mexico earlier this year. Both have since agreed to start trade talks with Washington. The EU-Japan agreement will remove EU tariffs of 10 per cent on Japanese cars and 3 per cent for most car parts. It would also scrap Japanese duties of some 30 per cent on EU cheese and 15 per cent on wines and open access to public tenders in Japan. It will also open up services markets, in particular, financial services, telecoms, e-commerce and transport. The EU is mindful of protests against and criticism of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in 2016, which culminated in a region of Belgium threatening to destroy the deal. It finally entered force in 2017. Critics say the EU-Japan agreement will give too much power to multinationals and could undermine environmental and labour standards, the latter because they say Japanese employees face tougher conditions and less adequate union representation. Belgium’s regions have though given their backing. Both Brussels and Tokyo want the agreement to enter force early in 2019 before Britain leaves the EU at the end of March. If it does, it could apply automatically to Britain during a transition period until the end of 2020 and offer comfort to the many Japanese car makers serving the EU from British bases.

EU, Japan to form world’s largest free trade area in 2019

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/france-pm-philippe-confirms-fuel-tax-suspensions-calls-for-calm-181453">France will forge ahead with its own tax</a> on digital giants in 2019 if the EU fails to agree on how to get the likes of Google and Facebook to pay more tax in Europe, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Thursday.

Le Maire told France 2 television he would give himself "until March" to reach a deal with other EU members on a digital tax, nicknamed the GAFA tax after Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon.

If the talks fail, "we will do it at the national level in 2019: we will tax digital giants if European states do not take their responsibilities," he said.

On Tuesday, France and Germany agreed on a scaled-back version of the tax in a bid to overcome significant opposition to the plan among some of their EU neighbours.

Under the new plan -- presented as an interim solution while waiting for a global deal brokered by the OECD -- digital giants would pay a three-per cent levy on advertising sales. &nbsp; &nbsp;

The measure, set to come into force in 2021 if a global plan has not been agreed by then, would chiefly target Google and Facebook, which dominate the online advertising market in Europe.

Paris argues it would be a vote winner for mainstream EU parties before European Parliament elections next May, in which anti-Brussels populists could do well.

France's initial proposal had a far wider scope but failed to gain traction, effectively killing the proposal as European tax rules require unanimous backing by all EU members.

Ireland, which hosts the European headquarters of several US tech giants, leads a small group of otherwise mostly Nordic countries that argue the tax will also punish European companies and stoke Washington's anger.

Germany, which firmly backed the plan at first, also expressed reticence after auto giants expressed concern it could damage their digital business models.

France will forge ahead with its own tax on digital giants in 2019 if the EU fails to agree on how to get the likes of Google and Facebook to pay more tax in Europe, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Thursday.

France will forge ahead with its own tax on digital giants in 2019 if the EU fails to agree on how to get the likes of Google and Facebook to pay more tax in Europe, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Thursday. Le Maire told France 2 television he would give himself "until March" to reach a deal with other EU members on a digital tax, nicknamed the GAFA tax after Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon. If the talks fail, "we will do it at the national level in 2019: we will tax digital giants if European states do not take their responsibilities," he said. On Tuesday, France and Germany agreed on a scaled-back version of the tax in a bid to overcome significant opposition to the plan among some of their EU neighbours. Under the new plan -- presented as an interim solution while waiting for a global deal brokered by the OECD -- digital giants would pay a three-per cent levy on advertising sales. The measure, set to come into force in 2021 if a global plan has not been agreed by then, would chiefly target Google and Facebook, which dominate the online advertising market in Europe. Paris argues it would be a vote winner for mainstream EU parties before European Parliament elections next May, in which anti-Brussels populists could do well. France's initial proposal had a far wider scope but failed to gain traction, effectively killing the proposal as European tax rules require unanimous backing by all EU members. Ireland, which hosts the European headquarters of several US tech giants, leads a small group of otherwise mostly Nordic countries that argue the tax will also punish European companies and stoke Washington's anger. Germany, which firmly backed the plan at first, also expressed reticence after auto giants expressed concern it could damage their digital business models.

France to introduce digital tax if no EU deal

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg sailed through a grilling from EU lawmakers about the social network's data policies as lengthy questions left the 34-year-old American little time to answer.

Betraying little emotion, Zuckerberg apologised to leaders of the European Parliament in Brussels for a massive data leak, in his latest attempt to draw a line under the damaging scandal.

However, he avoided answering numerous specific questions, notably around opt-outs from targeted advertising, the sharing of data between Facebook and its messaging service WhatsApp, as well as Facebook's collection of data on non-users.

He spoke for over half an hour in total, mostly repeating assurances and descriptions of Facebook plans that he detailed to U.S. lawmakers during 10 hours of hearings in Washington last month. Though some questions were sharp, there was no chance for the Europeans to follow up if they felt the answers fell short.

Investment analysts heard little new and Facebook's share price showed no reaction to the event, holding at the level to which it has recovered after taking a hit on the scandal.

"I asked you six 'yes or no' questions I got not a single answer," said Philippe Lamberts of the Greens, one of 12 party leaders and lead legislators whose questions to Zuckerberg took up nearly half of a hearing - broadcast live after complaints about an original plan for a closed-door meeting.

Zuckerberg had agreed to meet the lawmakers to answer questions about how political consultancy Cambridge Analytica improperly got hold of the personal data of 87 million Facebook users, including up to 2.7 million in the EU.

"SORRY" AND SOUVENIRS

He used an initial 10-minute address to apologise. "That was a mistake and I am sorry for it," he said. Not enough was done to prevent the breach, he added, promising the company was now better prepared and was working on further improvements.

The dozen MEPs then asked their questions, ranging from the German conservative leader asking Zuckerberg why his giant firm should not be broken up as a monopoly to complaints from Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, and an ally of French nationalist Marine Le Pen, that Facebook was now biased against right-wing parties.

That left barely 10 more minutes of the allotted time for replies -- though Zuckerberg spoke for a further quarter hour before the Italian speaker of the legislature, President Antonio Tajani, brought a somewhat disorderly halt to proceedings.

Over shouted complaints and repeated questions, the Facebook CEO and his adviser promised follow-up written answers at least one lawmaker, Swedish liberal Cecilia Wikstrom, also found time to pose for a souvenir photo with the youthful tech supremo, who uncharacteristically wore a dark suit and tie for the occasion.

British Conservative Syed Kamall complained the hearing was a "get-out-of-jail-free card" for Zuckerberg and said Facebook's reluctance to detail some of its workings left regulators trying to "cure a disease without knowing what the illness is".

The MEPs also faced criticism. Dominique Deckmyn of Belgian paper De Standaard tweeted: "First, they used up all their time speaking to make themselves look good, then complained loudly that Zuckerberg had no time left to answer."

In his opening remarks, Zuckerberg said it had "become clear over the last couple of years that we haven't done enough to prevent the tools we've built from being used for harm as well."

"Whether it's fake news, foreign interference in elections or developers misusing people’s information, we didn’t take a broad enough view of our responsibilities."

ECHO OF WASHINGTON

His comments echoed an apology last month to U.S. lawmakers. But questions remain over how Facebook let the leak happen and whether it is doing enough to prevent a recurrence.

Zuckerberg's appearance in Brussels came three days before tough new EU rules on data protection take effect. Companies will be subject to fines of up to 4 percent of global turnover for breaching them.

Zuckerberg said Facebook expected to be compliant with the EU rules, called the General Data Protection Regulation, when they come into force on Friday, stressing a commitment to Europe where Facebook will employ 10,000 people by the end of the year.

He avoided giving details about how non-Facebook users could stop the company from collecting their data, abruptly changing the subject to the company's relationship with third-party apps.

Last month, Facebook said it had no plans to build a tool to allow non-users to find out what the company knows about them, something that U.S. lawmakers had asked about.

Since the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook has suspended 200 apps from its platforms as it investigates third-party apps that have access to large quantities of user data. Zuckerberg said he expected more apps to be penalised.

Cambridge Analytica and its British parent, SCL Elections Ltd, have declared bankruptcy and closed down.

Zuckerberg said investments in security would significantly impact Facebook's profitability, but "keeping people safe will always be more important than maximising our profits".

Some European officials want a tougher line on big technology firms, however.

Facebook's compliance with the new EU data rules will be closely watched, as will its efforts to tackle the spread of fake news ahead of European Parliament elections next year.

"Some sort of regulation is important and inevitable," Zuckerberg said, but he echoed calls in the United States that innovation should not be stifled.

Zuckerberg will go on to meet French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday but has so far declined to appear in front of British lawmakers.

&nbsp

However, Zuckerberg avoided answering numerous specific questions, notably around opt-outs from targeted advertising, the sharing of data between Facebook and its messaging service WhatsApp, as well as Facebook's collection of data on non-users

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg sailed through a grilling from EU lawmakers about the social network's data policies as lengthy questions left the 34-year-old American little time to answer. Betraying little emotion, Zuckerberg apologised to leaders of the European Parliament in Brussels for a massive data leak, in his latest attempt to draw a line under the damaging scandal. However, he avoided answering numerous specific questions, notably around opt-outs from targeted advertising, the sharing of data between Facebook and its messaging service WhatsApp, as well as Facebook's collection of data on non-users. He spoke for over half an hour in total, mostly repeating assurances and descriptions of Facebook plans that he detailed to U.S. lawmakers during 10 hours of hearings in Washington last month. Though some questions were sharp, there was no chance for the Europeans to follow up if they felt the answers fell short. Investment analysts heard little new and Facebook's share price showed no reaction to the event, holding at the level to which it has recovered after taking a hit on the scandal. "I asked you six 'yes or no' questions I got not a single answer," said Philippe Lamberts of the Greens, one of 12 party leaders and lead legislators whose questions to Zuckerberg took up nearly half of a hearing - broadcast live after complaints about an original plan for a closed-door meeting. Zuckerberg had agreed to meet the lawmakers to answer questions about how political consultancy Cambridge Analytica improperly got hold of the personal data of 87 million Facebook users, including up to 2.7 million in the EU. "SORRY" AND SOUVENIRS He used an initial 10-minute address to apologise. "That was a mistake and I am sorry for it," he said. Not enough was done to prevent the breach, he added, promising the company was now better prepared and was working on further improvements. The dozen MEPs then asked their questions, ranging from the German conservative leader asking Zuckerberg why his giant firm should not be broken up as a monopoly to complaints from Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, and an ally of French nationalist Marine Le Pen, that Facebook was now biased against right-wing parties. That left barely 10 more minutes of the allotted time for replies -- though Zuckerberg spoke for a further quarter hour before the Italian speaker of the legislature, President Antonio Tajani, brought a somewhat disorderly halt to proceedings. Over shouted complaints and repeated questions, the Facebook CEO and his adviser promised follow-up written answers at least one lawmaker, Swedish liberal Cecilia Wikstrom, also found time to pose for a souvenir photo with the youthful tech supremo, who uncharacteristically wore a dark suit and tie for the occasion. British Conservative Syed Kamall complained the hearing was a "get-out-of-jail-free card" for Zuckerberg and said Facebook's reluctance to detail some of its workings left regulators trying to "cure a disease without knowing what the illness is". The MEPs also faced criticism. Dominique Deckmyn of Belgian paper De Standaard tweeted: "First, they used up all their time speaking to make themselves look good, then complained loudly that Zuckerberg had no time left to answer." In his opening remarks, Zuckerberg said it had "become clear over the last couple of years that we haven't done enough to prevent the tools we've built from being used for harm as well." "Whether it's fake news, foreign interference in elections or developers misusing people’s information, we didn’t take a broad enough view of our responsibilities." ECHO OF WASHINGTON His comments echoed an apology last month to U.S. lawmakers. But questions remain over how Facebook let the leak happen and whether it is doing enough to prevent a recurrence. Zuckerberg's appearance in Brussels came three days before tough new EU rules on data protection take effect. Companies will be subject to fines of up to 4 percent of global turnover for breaching them. Zuckerberg said Facebook expected to be compliant with the EU rules, called the General Data Protection Regulation, when they come into force on Friday, stressing a commitment to Europe where Facebook will employ 10,000 people by the end of the year. He avoided giving details about how non-Facebook users could stop the company from collecting their data, abruptly changing the subject to the company's relationship with third-party apps. Last month, Facebook said it had no plans to build a tool to allow non-users to find out what the company knows about them, something that U.S. lawmakers had asked about. Since the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook has suspended 200 apps from its platforms as it investigates third-party apps that have access to large quantities of user data. Zuckerberg said he expected more apps to be penalised. Cambridge Analytica and its British parent, SCL Elections Ltd, have declared bankruptcy and closed down. Zuckerberg said investments in security would significantly impact Facebook's profitability, but "keeping people safe will always be more important than maximising our profits". Some European officials want a tougher line on big technology firms, however. Facebook's compliance with the new EU data rules will be closely watched, as will its efforts to tackle the spread of fake news ahead of European Parliament elections next year. "Some sort of regulation is important and inevitable," Zuckerberg said, but he echoed calls in the United States that innovation should not be stifled. Zuckerberg will go on to meet French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday but has so far declined to appear in front of British lawmakers.

Facebook face-off: EU gets little news from Zuckerberg about social network's data policies

The Philippines decried what it said was interference in its internal affairs by the European Parliament, which urged the Southeast Asian nation in a resolution to end "extrajudicial killings" and halt plans to bring back the death penalty.

About 4,100 people have been killed by police in the Philippines since President Rodrigo Duterte took power in late June 2016 in what the authorities say were shootouts during anti-narcotics operations. Activists say many of those killings were executions, which police deny.

At least 2,300 drug-related deaths have occurred separately, at the hands of what police say are unknown assassins.

The European lawmakers on Thursday condemned Philippine authorities for "trying to justify these murders with falsified evidence", which Manila said was meddling and based on wrong information.

"The European Parliament has crossed a red line when it called for unwarranted actions against the Philippines," Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement late on Thursday.

The European Parliament and its members have criticised the Philippines'&nbspbrutal anti-narcotics crackdown several times, infuriating Duterte, who has directed his frustration on the European Union, rather than its legislative branch.

The EU is an important source of development aid, commerce and investment for the Philippines.

European lawmakers also called on Manila to remove what they called human rights defenders from its list of what it considers as "terrorists", including Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, the United Nations special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples.

They also condemned "the intimidation and the abuse" of human rights activists and journalists, and said Duterte`s push to reintroduce the death penalty was against its international obligations.

"In case the members of the European Parliament are not aware of it, may we remind them that their recommended actions already constitute interference in the affairs of a sovereign state," Cayetano added.

He said the resolution was based on "biased, incomplete and even wrong information and does not reflect the true situation on the ground".

The New York-based Human Rights Watch applauded the European Parliament for adopting the resolution and for its support for international efforts to investigate the Philippine crackdown.&nbsp

"It is a timely and forceful message from the EU parliamentarians putting President Duterte and his backers on notice - that continued grave abuses will come at a price," its researcher, Carlos Conde, said in a statement.

About 4,100 people have been killed by police in the Philippines since President Rodrigo Duterte took power in late June 2016 in what the authorities say were shootouts during anti-narcotics operations. Activists say many of those killings were executions, which police deny

The Philippines decried what it said was interference in its internal affairs by the European Parliament, which urged the Southeast Asian nation in a resolution to end "extrajudicial killings" and halt plans to bring back the death penalty. About 4,100 people have been killed by police in the Philippines since President Rodrigo Duterte took power in late June 2016 in what the authorities say were shootouts during anti-narcotics operations. Activists say many of those killings were executions, which police deny. At least 2,300 drug-related deaths have occurred separately, at the hands of what police say are unknown assassins. The European lawmakers on Thursday condemned Philippine authorities for "trying to justify these murders with falsified evidence", which Manila said was meddling and based on wrong information. "The European Parliament has crossed a red line when it called for unwarranted actions against the Philippines," Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement late on Thursday. The European Parliament and its members have criticised the Philippines'&nbspbrutal anti-narcotics crackdown several times, infuriating Duterte, who has directed his frustration on the European Union, rather than its legislative branch. The EU is an important source of development aid, commerce and investment for the Philippines. European lawmakers also called on Manila to remove what they called human rights defenders from its list of what it considers as "terrorists", including Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, the United Nations special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples. They also condemned "the intimidation and the abuse" of human rights activists and journalists, and said Duterte`s push to reintroduce the death penalty was against its international obligations. "In case the members of the European Parliament are not aware of it, may we remind them that their recommended actions already constitute interference in the affairs of a sovereign state," Cayetano added. He said the resolution was based on "biased, incomplete and even wrong information and does not reflect the true situation on the ground". The New York-based Human Rights Watch applauded the European Parliament for adopting the resolution and for its support for international efforts to investigate the Philippine crackdown. "It is a timely and forceful message from the EU parliamentarians putting President Duterte and his backers on notice - that continued grave abuses will come at a price," its researcher, Carlos Conde, said in a statement.

Philippines decries European Parliament's 'interference' in alleged execustions matter

The European Parliament&#39;s vice-president has lauded India&#39;s &quot;proactive operation&quot; against militants in India-administered Kashmir on Tuesday, Indian news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Vice president Ryszard Czarnecki has been&nbsp;quoted as saying:&nbsp;&quot;India&#39;s cross-border action against terrorists on its borders with Pakistan should be commended and supported by the international community. &nbsp;India has clearly indicated that these attacks were not against the Pakistani state, but focused against terror groups that threatened peace and stability in the region.&quot;

&nbsp;

Czarnecki&#39;s comments were published in the European Parliament&#39;s monthly magazine where he praised India&#39;s decision and called on the European Union to continue to put pressure on Pakistan to get rid of terror outfits from within its borders.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;The time has come for the world to act decisively against terrorism, and ensure that no terror group is assured of a secure haven in any part of the world,&quot; he said.

&nbsp;

&quot;India deserves global support in its fight against terror emanating from Pakistan, for if left unchecked, these individuals and groups would be attacking Europe and the West, soon. It is also important for the European Union to maintain pressure on Pakistan to eliminate the terror networks that operate within its borders,&quot; the Press Trust of India quoted him saying.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Czarnecki&#39;s further added that the surgical strikes carried out were&nbsp;&quot; probably a first by India&quot;, a retaliation after militants&nbsp;attacked an Indian army base in Uri, close to the Line of Control.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;We have witnessed the alarming growth of Pak-linked terror modules in Europe and other parts of the world. The close proximity between the Pak security establishment and terror groups has also given rise to a situation where organisations propagating Islamic militancy in Pakistan enjoy de facto state patronage,&quot; Czarnecki said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from PTI)

 
&nbsp;

Ryszard Czarnecki praised India's 'proactive action' against militants and asked EU to pressure Pakistan to eliminate terror groups

The European Parliament's vice-president has lauded India's "proactive operation" against militants in India-administered Kashmir on Tuesday, Indian news agency PTI reported. Vice president Ryszard Czarnecki has been quoted as saying: "India's cross-border action against terrorists on its borders with Pakistan should be commended and supported by the international community. India has clearly indicated that these attacks were not against the Pakistani state, but focused against terror groups that threatened peace and stability in the region." Czarnecki's comments were published in the European Parliament's monthly magazine where he praised India's decision and called on the European Union to continue to put pressure on Pakistan to get rid of terror outfits from within its borders. "The time has come for the world to act decisively against terrorism, and ensure that no terror group is assured of a secure haven in any part of the world," he said. "India deserves global support in its fight against terror emanating from Pakistan, for if left unchecked, these individuals and groups would be attacking Europe and the West, soon. It is also important for the European Union to maintain pressure on Pakistan to eliminate the terror networks that operate within its borders," the Press Trust of India quoted him saying. Czarnecki's further added that the surgical strikes carried out were " probably a first by India", a retaliation after militants attacked an Indian army base in Uri, close to the Line of Control. "We have witnessed the alarming growth of Pak-linked terror modules in Europe and other parts of the world. The close proximity between the Pak security establishment and terror groups has also given rise to a situation where organisations propagating Islamic militancy in Pakistan enjoy de facto state patronage," Czarnecki said. (WION with inputs from PTI)

European Parliament VP lauds India's surgical strikes

New proposals around copyright law to shake up how online news and entertainment is paid for in Europe were unveiled by European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg today. &nbsp; 
 
The reform plan aims to bring a fair fight to American video-sharing website,YouTube. 
 
&quot;I want journalists, publishers and authors to be paid fairly for their work, whether it is made in studios or living rooms, whether it is disseminated offline or online, whether it is published via a copying machine or commercially hyperlinked on the web,&quot; Juncker said as he gave his annual State of the Union speech.&nbsp; 
 
Pop stars such as Coldplay and Lady Gaga will hail part of the plan. 
 
The overhaul is meant to bring European copyright law up to date with the digital age to make the world&#39;s largest trading bloc more competitive in a tough global field. 
 
One major change would force internet portals such as Google or Reddit to pay newspaper publishers a licence fee when using small extracts or snippets of news content - most notably on Google News or Huffington Post. 
 
&quot;The commission&#39;s plan to create a copyright for news publishers in Europe is a significant and historic step,&quot; said Carlo Perrone, head of the European Newspaper Publishers&#39; Association. 
 
But, not everyone was happy with the reform plans. 
 
Filmmakers and start-up investors see it as a threat to European innovation and a wrong-headed favour to powerful media groups. 
 
Opponents say this idea punishes smaller publishers and is highly ineffective, as proven when both Germany and Spain created similar systems with neither case producing the badly needed life support to starved newspapers. 
 
&quot;How we share and use the news is in danger. (This plan) won&#39;t lead to more income for news sites, let alone journalists,&quot; said MEP Daniel Dalton, a conservative from Britain. 
 
The commission is also asking that video platforms, such as YouTube or even Facebook, use technology that can track violations of copyright and shut them down. 
 
Cracking down on YouTube is a key demand of some of the world&#39;s biggest music artists who said in a letter to Juncker last June that YouTube was stealing value from streaming services, such as Spotify. 
 
The last time the European Union radically overhauled its copyright laws was in 2001, long before Spotify and YouTube existed. 
 
(WION with inputs from AFP)

The change would force internet portals such as Google to pay newspaper publishers a licence fee when using small extracts of news content

New proposals around copyright law to shake up how online news and entertainment is paid for in Europe were unveiled by European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg today. The reform plan aims to bring a fair fight to American video-sharing website,YouTube. "I want journalists, publishers and authors to be paid fairly for their work, whether it is made in studios or living rooms, whether it is disseminated offline or online, whether it is published via a copying machine or commercially hyperlinked on the web," Juncker said as he gave his annual State of the Union speech. Pop stars such as Coldplay and Lady Gaga will hail part of the plan. The overhaul is meant to bring European copyright law up to date with the digital age to make the world's largest trading bloc more competitive in a tough global field. One major change would force internet portals such as Google or Reddit to pay newspaper publishers a licence fee when using small extracts or snippets of news content - most notably on Google News or Huffington Post. "The commission's plan to create a copyright for news publishers in Europe is a significant and historic step," said Carlo Perrone, head of the European Newspaper Publishers' Association. But, not everyone was happy with the reform plans. Filmmakers and start-up investors see it as a threat to European innovation and a wrong-headed favour to powerful media groups. Opponents say this idea punishes smaller publishers and is highly ineffective, as proven when both Germany and Spain created similar systems with neither case producing the badly needed life support to starved newspapers. "How we share and use the news is in danger. (This plan) won't lead to more income for news sites, let alone journalists," said MEP Daniel Dalton, a conservative from Britain. The commission is also asking that video platforms, such as YouTube or even Facebook, use technology that can track violations of copyright and shut them down. Cracking down on YouTube is a key demand of some of the world's biggest music artists who said in a letter to Juncker last June that YouTube was stealing value from streaming services, such as Spotify. The last time the European Union radically overhauled its copyright laws was in 2001, long before Spotify and YouTube existed. (WION with inputs from AFP)

EU's Juncker unveils radical copyright reform

european-parliament

European Parliament, News on European Parliament, stories on European Parliament, articles on European Parliament, European Parliament stories at Wion, European Parliament news, European Parliament latest news

european parliament