talks with president macron will focus on ukraine, gaza, china and the global economy. uk prime minister rishi sunak is facing criticism from within his own camp after the uk's conservative election debate. minister penny mordaunt says he was totally wrong to leave events early thursday. for four—day voting marathon thursday. forfour—day voting marathon is under way for the european parliament. people across 27 member states are heading to the polls. now on bbc news, europe votes 202a. the european union. a50 million people in 27 countries. la president! uniting nations, languages, cultures and economies into the world's biggest trading bloc, and a hugely important political voice on the global stage.

but it has its problems, and among its members there are very different opinions. this weekend, citizens across the bloc will elect members of the european parliament. who will shape the eu as it faces defining challenges. so what are the issues driving this election? and what's foremost in people's minds as they head to the ballot boxes? welcome to europe votes 202a. hello and welcome from sunny lisbon, where we are coming to you from today. i'm mark lowen, one of the bbc�*s europe correspondents. and over the course of this programme, we will bring new reports from across the continent as the election gets under way. but first, what is it all about? elections to the european parliament take place every five years. it is the only directly elected institution of the european union,

shaping the bloc�*s policies, legislation and budgets. voting happens by proportional representation. each country gets a number of members of the european parliament, or meps, relative to its size. the meps sit in transnational groups according to their ideology. so, for example, there is a left and right, eurosceptics and greens. the balance between them could change considerably this time. and this is the first european election since the united kingdom finally left the eu. polling is taking place across three days, with different countries voting at different times. the first eu member electing its new meps is the netherlands. with an expected surge in populist and far right support, the dutch are still in the process of forming their own government after elections last november, which saw the anti—immigration politician geert wilders win most votes. climate has been one

of the most divisive issues, with the country under pressure to reduce its carbon footprint. anna holligan has been speaking to young people on both sides of the heated debate. every farmer is a bit crazy, because they work the whole week, day in, day out. this man is a fourth—generation dairy farmer. it is a kind of a hobby, a way of life. and, yes, the love for this. home to 3.7 million cows, approximately one for every four voters, a dense population, global shipping and aviation hub, the netherlands is one of europe's biggest emitters of harmful nitrogen, a potent greenhouse gas. with the desire to hit its 2030 climate goals, the dutch government proposed a number of measures designed to make farming more sustainable. but many farmers felt scapegoated. it is always about the farmers, so every time we had a problem and we had to reduce with nitrogen or carbon or whatever, it is always focused on the farms.

and in the summer of 2022, protests ignited. thousands of farmers use their tractors to blockade highways and supermarket distribution centres. across europe, populist politicians have channelled this discontent to force the eu and member states to scale down climate legislation, by many considered to be central to decarbonisation. the key issues for dutch voters are migration, the cost of living and very much the green transition. in the drive to reduce co2 emissions, there is a lively debate over whether the eu is pushing too hard and too fast. what do we want? climate justice! and on the other side of the spectrum, climate activists have also been applying pressure. at a recent rally in the hague, winnie was among those calling for an end to government tax breaks

and subsidies for high fossil fuel—emitting companies. but she thinks the european union can help their cause. there is a big role for europe to play there, because what we see is the dutch politics, dutch politicians have a hard time trying to satisfy their voters and still commit to the paris agreement, and that is a shame, because that is the bare minimum that we need to do. among many young people, there is a shared frustration with the polarisation that infiltrates the climate debate. farmers as well will feel the effects of climate change and we need the farmers, so let's shake hands on this. we both want to have a clear perspective for the future, i so i think no—one has- a clear solution to make one clear policy in europe.

in italy too, conservative parties are expected to make big gains in election. brothers of italy, the party of the prime minister, giorgia meloni, is topping the opinion polls. she has moved it away from a previously more far right position, moderating in office, but she still takes a hard line on immigration, one of the issues voters are worried about, and she's struggling to boost the flagging birth rate and brain drain of young italians leaving the country, as i found out in latina, just south of rome. the big beasts of italian politics are lining up for their european battle. and at this farm south of rome, which rears 1,800 buffaloes, the question is whether change is afloat. it is a very italian family business, churning out exceptional mozzarella and ricotta. the grandson of the founder says the problems are many, from european farmers being undercut by non—eu countries to another long—standing italian issue.

it is not that easy to find workers. medium salary in italy is not going up for a long time. and this is very sad, because many times, younger university students prefer to not work because of this. it means they employ migrant workers to fill the gap, there is no shortage there, with new arrivals soaring by 50% last year despite the government promising to crack down. so at the centre for young unaccompanied migrants, more keep coming, and the town is feeling the strain. its 0k strain. its ok for now. the numbers we are seeing now. buti its ok for now. the numbers we are seeing now. but i don't know in the future if they could increase more, if it would be ok or a little difficult. ., ., ., , ., ., difficult. you are at your maximum oint, do difficult. you are at your maximum point. do you _ difficult. you are at your maximum point, do you think? _ point, do you think? may be. yes, i think so.

they put together pieces of broken lives in a country they will now call home. here, paid smugglers —— this man paid smugglers to get here from burkina faso. translation: ., , ., �* , ., translation: lots of africans that euro -e is a translation: lots of africans that europe is a paradise, _ translation: lots of africans that europe is a paradise, that _ translation: lots of africans that europe is a paradise, that is - translation: lots of africans that europe is a paradise, that is not - europe is a paradise, that is not true. now, itell lots europe is a paradise, that is not true. now, i tell lots of people back home not to try, but even if italy stops the votes, it is impossible. so the list is long for the prime minister, elected 18 months ago and still leading the polls. the main city here, latino, mirrors italy, with the same issues in the first woman in charge. translation: ~ ., ., translation: the meloni government is workin: translation: the meloni government is working well- — translation: the meloni government is working well. we _ translation: the meloni government is working well. we have _ translation: the meloni government is working well. we have problems - translation: the meloni government is working well. we have problems of l is working well. we have problems of the falling _ is working well. we have problems of the falling birth rate, for example, which _ the falling birth rate, for example, which accepts all of europe. —— affects — which accepts all of europe. —— affects all_ which accepts all of europe. —— affects all of europe. used to passively accept immigrants, but now we have _ passively accept immigrants, but now we have a _ passively accept immigrants, but now we have a big say in managing flows. it's important to win this election so we _ it's important to win this election so we can— it's important to win this election so we can put forward our ideas at a

european _ so we can put forward our ideas at a european level. behind italy's blustery beauty light at age—old problems, but what has changed here in the past 18 months as he was trying to solve them, with george and maloney dominating italian politics and hoping to further entrench a position after these european elections. but of the right—wing leaders are also looking at her as a kind of figurehead of what they too will hope to achieve. and so, a key moment for italy and for europe, a vote on how to navigate these rough times. well, across the eu, immigration, the economy and the environment are all big themes for voters in this election. that's also true in germany, the eu's largest economy, and with the biggest population, so electing the highest number of meps. but abortion rights campaigners there say women's health issues are failing to get enough attention. 0ur correspondentjessica parker sent this report from the german city of

hamburg. adriana volunteers to help improve abortion access at the having one herself five years ago. in germany, abortions are in reality permitted during early pregnancy but remain technically illegal.— during early pregnancy but remain technically illegal. when i read the enal technically illegal. when i read the penalty law. _ technically illegal. when i read the penalty law. it _ technically illegal. when i read the penalty law, it really _ technically illegal. when i read the penalty law, it really crushed - technically illegal. when i read the penalty law, it really crushed me, | penalty law, it really crushed me, because it really says you are still a criminal when you decide to have an abortion. you can do it up until 12 weeks without being actually punished, but you are still kind of a criminal. and also, the law is written like that, and they are trying to force you to think about it and to keep the pregnancy, so they are really pushing you to one direction. do you think this issue, women's health issues, have a prominent enough place in public debate? of course not! women's issues are of course not! women's issues are most of the time not the main priority. i would really prefer it if we had an eu law that ensures

that everyone has access to safe abortion. even in wealthy liberal cities like hamburg, campaigners say women face barriers to abortion, while access across europe can significantly vary, from france, where abortions have become a constitutional right, to almost total illegality in poland and malta. abortion laws are set by member states, within the last eu parliament, a majority of lawmakers called for access to be guaranteed across the bloc. it is a prime example of some warehouse see the eu as a vehicle for social change, while others think brussels is already too interfering. it’s while others think brussels is already too interfering. it's up to the nation _ already too interfering. it's up to the nation is _ already too interfering. it's up to the nation is to _ already too interfering. it's up to the nation is to say _ already too interfering. it's up to the nation is to say whether - already too interfering. it's up to the nation is to say whether they want _ the nation is to say whether they want to— the nation is to say whether they want to have this or that particular abortion_ want to have this or that particular abortion law, and the eu should not meddle _ abortion law, and the eu should not meddle with that. they have done that with — meddle with that. they have done that with other things. they try to interfere — that with other things. they try to interfere with nations' sovereignty, and i_ interfere with nations' sovereignty, and i think— interfere with nations' sovereignty, and i think they shouldn't push the nation _

and i think they shouldn't push the nation is _ and i think they shouldn't push the nation is too far. we have seen what happens _ nation is too far. we have seen what happens if_ nation is too far. we have seen what happens if they do that, and when people _ happens if they do that, and when people pick up on those ideas, we saw that— people pick up on those ideas, we saw that in— people pick up on those ideas, we saw that in the uk, and they played well, _ saw that in the uk, and they played well, then— saw that in the uk, and they played well, then people might turn away on a larger— well, then people might turn away on a larger scale from the european union, _ a larger scale from the european union, and — a larger scale from the european union, and that's not a good idea. and this _ union, and that's not a good idea. and this professor believes eu wide changes a distant prospect. i think member states focus very much on having occupancies and criminal law, and especially in these sensitive areas of abortion. the eu parliamentary elections are nowjust the eu parliamentary elections are now just weeks away. the eu parliamentary elections are nowjust weeks away. if the eu parliamentary elections are now just weeks away. if as the eu parliamentary elections are nowjust weeks away. if as some polls predict, there is a rightward shift, that might diminish calls for embedding abortion rights. as parties push very different visions of how far the eu should reach into people's lives. from the chilly climes of germany to

northern spain, the increasing difficulty of making ends meet is playing big in people's mines. spain is the fourth largest economy in the eu, but has the largest unemployment rate in the georgia —— in the bloc. in andalucia, the biggest tourist hotspot are struggling with unemployment and a lack of infrastructure. 0ur reporter has more from the city of alegicras, where one in every four is out of work. in a perfect world, 20—year—old lucy would make a living doing what she loves. restoring furniture. today, it is this coat of arms, but it doesn't pay enough, and on her part of spain, finding anyjob is really hard. translation: i hard. translation: ., ., ~ , .,

translation: i am working very hard tot and translation: i am working very hard to try and make _ translation: i am working very hard to try and make a _ translation: i am working very hard to try and make a living _ translation: i am working very hard to try and make a living from - translation: i am working very hard to try and make a living from what - translation: i am working very hard to try and make a living from what i i to try and make a living from what i love doing. i see my friends with full—time jobs only making 700 euros a month. they take advantage of the fact that we are young, because they know that we are going to shut up and take whatever money they give us. in the city of algeciras, these kids face a tough future. it feels like a bustling place, but 40% of young people can't find a job, the highest rate in the whole country. the sky high level of unemployment here in algeciras means that there is huge scepticism that anything will change for the better after the european parliament elections in six weeks' time. there are deep—rooted economic problems, and despite the vibrancy of this place, success stories are pretty hard to find. but this is one. business is good at this repair company. a 230 metre long containership is the latest vessel they are fixing. it has meant

21—year—old mario has been able to get a decentjob, something that has eluded many of his friends. 0utside eluded many of his friends. outside of the naval sector, it is kinda _ outside of the naval sector, it is kinda difficult to have a permanent 'ob. kinda difficult to have a permanent job the _ kinda difficult to have a permanent job. the contracts they provide are tow-wage, — job. the contracts they provide are low—wage, short short—term, and they basicattym _ low—wage, short short—term, and they basically... yes, you know, they take _ basically... yes, you know, they take a _ basically... yes, you know, they take a irit— basically... yes, you know, they take a bit of— basically... yes, you know, they take a bit of an advantage of the people _ take a bit of an advantage of the people needing to save their money. one of— people needing to save their money. one of the _ people needing to save their money. one of the bosses says he would love to take on more workers, but the problem is that while so many young people need a job, theyjust don't have the expertise. you have the highest percentage of unemployed people here, and those people, we cannot get with us, because they don't have the skills. algeciras boasts the biggest port in spain, but doesn't feel the benefits. the eu is sending 140 million euros to the region to try to boostjobs, which may or may not win votes at the european elections. but it feels much bigger investment

is needed here, particularly in roads, railways and other infrastructure, to turn the tide for this young generation. and so to france, often seen as the other half of the power couple driving the eu along with germany. but it too is seeing a surge in support for the far right. the national rally of marine le pen and her young co—leader has been towering over opinion polls at over twice the level of support of the nearest rival, the party of president emmanuel macron. that could put the far right in a strong position ahead of the next french presidential election in 2027. our paris correspondent hugh schofield has been finding out why this has been happening, and he starts his report in the cathedral town of sens, south—east of paris. they are on a roll and they know it. today, the national rally are so far

ahead in the french polls that their biggest worry supporters like these taking a massive victory for granted and not turning out. that's why the party's president has come to this market town. selfie hell, of course! all for the cause. this is the new face of france's far right. he is popular, personable, but above all, very young, and at just 28, he is leading the national rally in these elections to new heights. circumstances are helping. inflation is hurting. out here in the provinces, president macron is unpopular. and now, there has been a run of atrocious stories of violence among immigrant communities in schools. in the paris suburbs, a 15—year—old was beaten to death, seemingly by the brothers of a teenage girl angry that she was in contact with him. the case is not unique. forthe contact with him. the case is not unique. for the national rally�*s newest star recruit, translates into

a crying popular demand for authority. he is no outsider, but the former leader of the agency frontex, who was hounded out because he tried to be tough, and immigration is a factor in many of these cases of violence. this is a cultural clash. the fact that some boys, 15, while teenagers, considered that their sister should not talk to a boy, that it is a matter of honour, and that is not part of our culture. in france, it's not part of our culture. i'm sure that nowhere in continental europe or in the uk. back on the campaign trail in the town of sens, i asked jordan bordello where he thinks the violence is coming from. there is a new savagery and society which _ there is a new savagery and society which means you might be attacked anywhere _ which means you might be attacked anywhere because you are not wearing the right _ anywhere because you are not wearing the right kind of clothes or because you are _ the right kind of clothes or because you are in _ the right kind of clothes or because you are in the wrong place at the wrong _ you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, and now, this violence

is affecting — wrong time, and now, this violence is affecting institutions of the state. — is affecting institutions of the state, like schools. his _ state, like schools. his answer is to get tough, increase penalties, crackdown on illegal immigration. it seems many would agree. so while voters in much of europe are focusing on their internal challenges, in some eu countries, it is what is happening outside, or rather this side of their country, thatis rather this side of their country, that is a priority, not least for poland, bordering ukraine, but also russia and belarus. though some other eu members in the east of the bloc like hungary and slovakia have wavered in their commitment to helping ukraine militarily, poland has been a firm voice against the threat from moscow. but there are signs of strain in its relations with kyiv and the conflict next door is having a political impact in poland, as our eastern europe correspondent reports. all along its northern border,

poland is on alert, because on the other side here is calnan in grad, russian territory that is heavily militarised. —— kaliningrad. poland has taken the threat posed by its neighbours very seriously ever since the full—scale invasion of ukraine. its constant warnings that vladimir putin won't stop there, so poland now plans to spend millions tightening security. prime minister donald tusk is making russia a big issue at the european elections. reinforcing:'s border, he said, was about telling the enemy stay away. the end and polish schools, there are new schools, getting prepared in case of an emergency. —— and in polish schools. first lesson, evacuation. the training is run by soldiers with the territorial

defence. it's partly about building confidence in the armed forces, partly learning skills to cope in a crisis. the teenagers we met he had no doubts why they were doing this. we are in danger. i worry about that the war comes to poland. the russia is near to us, and they could _ the russia is near to us, and they could attack— the russia is near to us, and they could attack us. i think. but _ could attack us. i think. but fearing moscow doesn't always mean helpful kyiv, not to those who spoilt the screen for ukraine at the polish border. —— spoiled this grain. the polish countryside is often a place of strong feelings, not all of them positive, about the eu or kyiv. marius has been farming since he was 18, but he says ukrainian goods are starting to flood the market here. it undercuts local produce and

threatens his livelihood. translation: it threatens his livelihood. translation:— threatens his livelihood. translation: ~ a, �*, translation: it looks like ukraine's fi . htin: translation: it looks like ukraine's fiaahtin a translation: it looks like ukraine's fighting a war — translation: it looks like ukraine's fighting a war on _ translation: it looks like ukraine's fighting a war on two _ translation: it looks like ukraine's fighting a war on two fronts, - translation: it looks like ukraine's fighting a war on two fronts, one - fighting a war on two fronts, one with russia, and the other against polish farmers, and economic and agricultural war. polish farmers, and economic and agriculturalwar. if this polish farmers, and economic and agricultural war. if this continues, we willjust perish. we have no chance. it's not the economy, though. it is security, that is poland's big theme at these elections. the message, that living next door to russia remains a risk, and that all europe needs to remain on guard. so, those are some of the issues particular to each country, and here is a particularity with the election itself. changes to the law in some eu member states mean that this year, 16 and 17—year—olds are able to vote, while in some countries, the youth vote leans towards the cat micro greens of the left, in many, there is an unprecedented support for the far right among young voters, which is expected to help

those parties make significant gains. our correspondence in this report from the heart of the european union in brussels. —— our correspondent sent this report. in some countries, like belgium, the voting age has been lowered to 16. do you think the european elections matter? 0r: matter? or:- matter? - 0r:- it's a matter? or: , , it'save matter? or: , it'save biuouortuni or: yes. it's a very big opportunity for us, or: yes. it's a very big opportunity for us. and — or: yes. it's a very big opportunity for us. and i _ or: a" it's a very big opportunity for us, and i really like it, because _ for us, and i really like it, because it gives us a voice that we never— because it gives us a voice that we never had — because it gives us a voice that we never had before. europe needs to be stronger, because we can't always trust nato. mr; we can't always trust nato. my history teacher now are really saying — history teacher now are really saying that _ history teacher now are really saying that it _ history teacher now are really saying that it would _ history teacher now are really saying that it would not - history teacher now are really . saying that it would not surprise history teacher now are really - saying that it would not surprise me if something — saying that it would not surprise me if something would _ saying that it would not surprise me if something would happen - saying that it would not surprise me if something would happen in - saying that it would not surprise me if something would happen in the i if something would happen in the future, _ if something would happen in the future, so — if something would happen in the future, so that _ if something would happen in the future, so that really— if something would happen in the future, so that really scares - if something would happen in the future, so that really scares me, i future, so that really scares me, and my— future, so that really scares me, and my future, _ future, so that really scares me, and my future, and _ future, so that really scares me, and my future, and thinking - future, so that really scares me, i and my future, and thinking about future, so that really scares me, - and my future, and thinking about my children— and my future, and thinking about my children and _ and my future, and thinking about my children and my— and my future, and thinking about my children and my future _ and my future, and thinking about my children and my future children, - and my future, and thinking about my children and my future children, i- children and my future children, i don't _ children and my future children, i don't have — children and my future children, i don't have children _ children and my future children, i don't have children now! - but more young people going to the polls won't necessarily translate into support for the eu. in fact, an

unprecedented number of young voters are siding with far right populist parties. are siding with far right populist arties. , . . , , are siding with far right populist arties. , .. ,, ., ., parties. the success of the far ri . ht parties. the success of the far right among — parties. the success of the far right among young _ parties. the success of the far right among young people - parties. the success of the far right among young people in i parties. the success of the far i right among young people in part parties. the success of the far - right among young people in part has to do with their positions on immigration oran to do with their positions on immigration or an antique woke, but also on their very successful social media strategy, especially on platforms such as tiktok. they also have this very clear antiestablishment discourse, and even rebellious vibe that can appeal to young voters. that rebellion blaring out in the capital of europe. hundreds of farmers have come to process here in brussels with their tractors. they have come from lots of different countries and many of them are clearly young. as voting is under way across europe, they want to send a strong message, that eu just isn't listening to them. the reason why _ just isn't listening to them. the reason why we _ just isn't listening to them. tue: reason why we vote just isn't listening to them. tt;e: reason why we vote for just isn't listening to them. t"t9: reason why we vote for the just isn't listening to them. tt9 reason why we vote for the writers that we had a status quo we want to

do away with. we have global issues that we don't know how we can take control of. we can actually solve theissues control of. we can actually solve the issues that the left tried to solve but failed to do so. another issue that is driving them to the writers migration.— another issue that is driving them to the writers migration. there is a bi issue to the writers migration. there is a big issue when _ to the writers migration. there is a big issue when it _ to the writers migration. there is a big issue when it comes _ to the writers migration. there is a big issue when it comes to - to the writers migration. there is a big issue when it comes to security and when it comes to keeping track of all the people that come in, so i think that europe doesn't have the capacity to receive that many people. and that's what you are voting to the right? that's why i'm voting common sense. common sense or not, many young people feel that the more traditional parties are not listening to their concerns, and that disconnect is what could deliver the most significant victory to the far right the eu was founded more than half a century ago so many challenges and so much to play for.

the 720 meps elected will take decisions on issues that affect all eu citizens on everything from food standards to immigration and climate targets to banking rules, and they'll vote to decide who becomes president of the european commission, leaving the institution for the next five years. the results are expected late on the last day of voting, sunday, june the 9th. we will cover the twists and turns of the selection right here on the bbc, but until then, from me, mark lohan, and the rest of our teams across europe, thanks for watching. goodbye. hello there. it looks like the weather is stuck in a rut. we are going to hold onto fairly cold weather for the time of year,

with temperatures around orjust below the seasonal average. part two of the weekend doesn't look better. if anything the clouds will thicken and we will see some rain for some of us pushing down from the north. there will still be a little bit of sunshine here and there. saturday, low—pressure to the north—east of the country and higher pressures to the south—west. that brings northwesterly winds. a good deal of showers across the north and west of scotland. the odd one elsewhere. areas of cloud also spreading southwards. plenty of sunshine in between. not a bad afternoon to come for many of us. temperatures reaching highs of 18 or 19. that is close to the average but generally, further north, we are below the seasonal norm. this evening and overnight, it looks like many central and southern areas will potentially turn chilly under clear skies. plenty of in the northern half and cloud will build across scotland and northern ireland as the cloud builds on. temperatures just about double figures, otherwise for most it will be single digits and another cool night for earlyjune. for sunday we start off fine

and then these weather fronts will start to push in from the north—west. cloud will thicken for many and we will see patchy rain at times. a bright, chilly but fine start to central, southern and eastern areas. cloud will build. northern ireland, south—west scotland, north—west england, north wales, seeing patchy rain as those weather fronts push south—eastward. best of the sunshine probably the south—west corner and the northern half of scotland. there will also be a few showers. with more cloud and temperatures will be a bit lower for part two of the weekend, 12—18. through sunday night, those weather fronts spread south across england and wales, bringing outbreaks of rain. then we pick up northerly winds. a bit of a grey start, with outbreaks of rain from monday morning across eastern england. the rain slowly pulling away and then it looks like being a day of sunshine and showers. most of the showers across central and northern areas. these could be quite heavy across northern scotland. with that northerly wind, it will be a chilly day for the time of year. 10—15 or 16 in the south. we hold onto that chilly northerly wind through tuesday, wednesday and thursday,

bringing sunshine and showers and chilly nights. by the end of next week, it does look like temperatures will slowly start to recover as we cut off that chilly northerly. that is it for me, take care. the headlines:: israeli security forces say they have rescued four hostages from two separate locations in nuseirat in central gaza. the bbc obtains new video footage believed to be one of the last two sightings of missing tv and radio presenter at michael mosley. president biden has begun a two—day state visit to france following the d—day landings commemorations in normandy. talks with president macron will focus on ukraine, gaza, china and the global economy. politicians are out again this weekend vying for support as the general election draws closer.

thousands election draws closer. of motorcyclists ride from london thousands of motorcyclists ride from london to cumbria to celebrate the life of dave myers. hello, this is bbc news. israeli security forces have rescued four hostages from two separate locations in nuseirat, in central gaza. they've been named as noa argamani, almog meirjan, shlomi ziv and andrey kozlov. all had been abducted by hamas from the nova music festival on october 7th. here is the moment one of them was united with her father. here is the moment one of them was united with herfather. she has also spoken on the phone to pry mr netanyahu. this is the moment that two of the arrived by helicopter to a hospital in tel aviv. all four of the released hostages are said to be in good medical condition. the idf spokesperson

daniel hagari has said that israeli forcies rescued hostages from hamas whilst under fire.