over the past 12 months, european parliament has helped bring this agenda to life. we continue to make progress with each passing day. just last night you worked to find an agreement on instrument and doubling our european investment capacity and you succeeded. thank you for that. i also want to thank the 27 leaders of our member states. this after my speech last year, they welcome my agenda at their summit. in doing so, they chose unity, they chose to rally around our common good. together, we showed that you can deliver for citizens when and where it matters. ever since we've been slowly but truly gathering momentum. it helped that the economic outlook swung in our favor. we are now in the fifth year of an economic recovery that really reaches really in every single member state. growth in european union has outswept that of the united states over the last two years. it now stands above 2% for the union as a whole and at 2.2% for the monetary area. unemployment is at a nine-year low. almost 8 million jobs have been created during this mandate so far. with 235 milli

conflict zone isn't the limb and my guest is german politician leads he is a member of the european parliament and the social democrats who have just suffered a stunning defeat now that the votes are counted worse germany headed. annelise well come to conflict zone the german election is over and your party's candidate martin scholtz didn't manage to convince enough voters that he should to be the next german chancellor he failed miserably yes we feared miserably as a party and. we had a swing which was interesting last january where we very close actually same level up at that time your candidate got one hundred percent from your party i think it was a little bit too optimistic at that time well it was not a question of to be optimistic it was a question if he is convincing the party to be the leader and to run as a translator candidate. there first. time during the lender elections nobody wanted to participate in the campaign. exactly that happened not on the sphere where the decision was taken not to include the federal politics into this idea how can this be you elect a few months before t

today, i am handing out to the european parliament a new code of conduct for commissioners. first and foremost, this conduct specifies that commissioners can stand in european elections under normal conditions. obviously, the new code will shore up the obligations of commissioners when it comes to integrity during and after their mandate. whoever wants to boost european democracy should never accept that the major democratic in the systement would never go along with that not being renewed, because it was an innovation that led to more democracy. i'm convinced that the future president will make the most of this experience. you can stand if you like, but you will not be elected. [applause] >> more democracy, that's what we need. that means more efficiency, of course. would be aticiency an advantage if we were to merge together with the european council. this proposal does not target in my excellent friend donald tusk, who i have been working with harmoniously for three years, right from the start of the mandate. this is not aimed at myself and not aimed at donald, but all it

to in the european parliament but she once of a break said for germany that's what she announced the day after the break that. in the european parliament so people don't care and therefore the european union as such it's not a given we have to fight for every day and so let's talk and bodies with envy are going to do that as a stronger position party we don't give that to the airflow glad about that you gave what will be the future we'll see but let's talk about europe it is you europe wide phenomenon that nationalist and populist parties i have been increasing success like albany in hungary or kaczynski in poland or struck then amok no way how do you explain that. that is what compared to germany to the if kenya and also to for not so no but also to the trump ism in the us but in hungary and in poland these people even govern right they influence every decision in europe and their generational is racist right and they've changed their basic law our situation look if you look at the constitutional court in poland. the government now is destructing it which is and should not be allowe

you've got experience dealing with far right groups in the european parliament what did vice which you give the social democrats here in germany when it comes to dealing with the far right colleagues who are about to enter one the stock. i mean certainly the european parliament after the from the tsunami and other nationally center in two thousand and nine it changed a lot of the work of the european parliament from the beginning we tried to use some sort of a new terror meaning that we really tried to exclude as a political it was not a political group at a time but it was a very powerful force it changed the law of god extend a way of communicating and building itself we had to permanently adapt to the rules because we get provoke aisha's we get hate speech in the room so it's a lot of unexpected reactions so i would say we have to be very careful especially when it comes to abuse of the plenary. speech what we see quite often in the planetary and i would just say to the stark it's a completely new seem to ation and i do hold the right especially angle america will convince always of

over the past 12 months the european parliament has brought this agenda to life. we continue to make progress with each passing day. just last night you works to find an agreement on doubling our european investment capacity and to succeed. thank you for that. i also want to thank the 27 liters of our member states. after my speech last year they welcomed my agenda at their summit. in doing so they chose unity. they chose a common goal. together we hope you can deliver for the citizens. ever since we have been slowly but surely gathering momentum. it helps that the economic outlook is in our favor. we are now in the 50 or of an economic recovery in every single member state. growth in the european union over the united states in last two years 2% of the union as a whole and 2.2% for the monetary. unemployment is at a nine-year low. almost eight million jobs have been created so far. 235 million people at work and more people in the european union than ever before. the uk commission cannot take the credit or this alone. though i am sure if it had been lost we would

conflict zone is in berlin and my guest is german politician on the leats he's a member of the european parliament and the social democrats who have just suffered a stunning defeat now that the vote.

and brexit will leave empty seats in the european parliament.remaining 27 countries do with them? so, all that to come and more in the next 30 minutes. joining us today are journalists toby young and anne mcelvoy. first up, here's our guide to the latest from europe in just 60 seconds. jean—claude juncker took centrestage in strasbourg with his state of the union speech this week. but meps also discussed diesel gate, the volkswagen emission scandal, debating new testing regimes in germany and austria introduced earlier this month after a parliamentary enquiry made recommendations. 1.2 billion euros in eu aid was given to italy to help repair damaged caused by recent earthquakes. the massive pay—out is the biggest ever under the eu solidarity fund. and meps approved a motion calling on norway, a member of the european economic area, to give up commercial whaling off its coast. away from the european parliament, protests took place across france on tuesday against president macron‘s controversial changes to the country's labour laws. and with germ

his rags to riches story baked in twenty twelve when he was elected the president of the european parliament transforming him from small town mayor into a powerful year across. the perks reportedly included to limit and over thirty aides which angered some fellow m.e.p. the queen of sheba probably had less stuff certainly less refers i can't decide if martin schulz is a bowling bolshevik or who a gruff federalists schultz was also accused of using his position to help his good friend the european commission chief and former luxembourg prime minister. blocking the probe into a luxembourg scandal in which big companies got generous tax breaks. now back from brussels to seeking to dethrone angela merkel accusing her of americans while presenting himself as a man of the people. given the struggle she was in jordan his early days it's likely that many relate to him as a man who on the. stans real hardship but he's more recent brussels baggage indicates voters might find it difficult to tell him a car in the eye and chancellor he's trying to oust. where across the german election for you throughou

grow chemical giant monsanto's banned from the european parliament after refusing to attend a hearing questioning studies about its products. he wants it all to international live from almost has to do with me in a day or two to welcome to the program the spanish region of catalonia is on the verge of what could prove to be a historic decision with this independence referendum shy jeweled for sunday tensions are mounting in the region with extra police deployed on the streets and raids to prevent the counting of at electronic votes in crowds gathered to protest against the upcoming vote throughout saturday and in madrid spanish unionists staged a rally in front of the city hall the activist was seen singing the anthem of the fascist spanish phalange party a number of protesters also gave nazi salutes i understand since march between the true downfall from enough officials from. both sides tried to his face and is excruciating. if it is disturbing it would. clearly be. our. adopting. you know people who. are against. it is the editor of the government over a whore who has crossed a ver

and agro chemical giant monsanto has been banned from the european parliament after refusing to attend the hearing questioning studies about its problems. thanks so much for joining us this hour my name's neil harvey you're watching our international. spanish region of catalonia is on the verge of what could prove to be an historic decision with this independence referendum show june fourth sunday tensions are mounting though in the region with extra police deployed on the streets race to prevent the counting of electronic votes barcelona crowds gathered throughout saturday to protest against the upcoming vote in the madrid spanish union estates the rally right in front of city hall this was seen singing young from of the fascist spanish language party a number of protesters also gave nancy salutes and tell. about between a dude in barcelona officials from both sides of the trading accusations of extremism. it would. clearly be. our. adopting. you know people who. are against. it is the editor of the government over a whore who has crossed a very dangerous red line he has decided to re

the president of the european commission, jean—claude juncker, has told the european parliament that in his annual speech on the state of the european union, jean—claude juncker outlined his plans for a more integrated eu, an opportunity, he said, that would be provided by brexit. 0ur europe correspondent, damian grammaticas, reports. this was a striking shift from the eu, its leaders oozing optimism because they believe the worst crises of recent years are behind them. europe's economy is now growing faster than america's. the migrant serge receding. even brexit has not proved fatal to their union. translation: on the 29th march 2019, the united kingdom will leave the european union. it will be a sad and tragic moment. we will always regret it, and you will come to regret it soon. what's striking listening to this whole speech, is that that's the only reference mrjuncker‘s made to brexit in an hour of talking. the rest of it has all been about the eu without the uk, setting out his vision for the future and he wants quite far—reaching change. an eu that both grows bigger and integrat

fifty one members of the european parliament you can even send them a message or ask them a question if you have one. the help of our main attraction is a three hundred sixty degree theater where you can watch the european parliament in strasbourg actively debating and you're in the midst of this movement you can take a seat like a european representative and want european democracy live in action. here too people can choose between the twenty four languages and by the way the european house is open seven days a week and entry is free of charge. your tongue and jordan lives in one of the e.u. member states and ireland and she invited us to take a tour of her hometown dublin i bet after this video you'll understand why the irish are famous for their cheerfulness and hospitality. had made a false. clear sirish are gaelic on mains one hundred thousand welcomes to my job and i'm tanya i can't wait to show you my city of joplin. even though dublin has one point two million people it really feels like a large village wherever you go you get a sense of friendliness meeting no clue how to ch

week conflict zone isn't berlin and my guest is german politician leads he is a member of the european parliament and the social democrats who have just suffered a stunning defeat now that the vote.

the president of the european commission, jean—claude juncker, has told the european parliament that ate of the european union, mrjuncker also outlined his plans for a more integrated eu. now on bbc news, it's time for hardtalk.

and so we have our own president in the parliament and then you have the european commission which is supposed to express the. good let's say or for the union itself that's why we have are three separate the institutions which have an institutional balance which is very important and i don't agree with the idea of mr young go to have only one president this means that we are going to have a unit that is state and this is something that do not agree i believe that the european union should continue as a union of states and not a unitary state i think i'm going to further this now it is highly in the speech there can be only one they can be only one president and he also thinks they can be on one currency has to be the euro say what he said. almost at the euro is destined to be the currency if the entire european union. so there's no alternative to the euro do you think those countries who haven't signed up for it will appreciate this being forced upon them or not. well the mystic you get didn't address the main issues concerning the functioning of the of the eurozone first of all he di

the president of the european commission, jean—claude juncker, has told the european parliament that is week, the women fighting for tech recognition.

held meetings in the open air the new bundestag is the third most populous parliament only the european parliament and the chinese people's congress has more members. the bigger the parliament gets the more difficult it gets to enter the base and to keep the government in check because such a big parliament can't act as an independent institution anymore. because argonne again khan the parliament may have grown but the percentage of women has shrunk the new bundestag has the lowest percentage of female politicians and more than twenty yes a deficit which is particularly acute in the a.f.d. the f.t.p. and surprisingly enough christian democrats. you're watching d.v.d.'s still to come here you have the founder of the adult magazine playboy has died at the age of ninety one he launched playboy in one hundred fifty three it was a all the night success but critics say he objectified women. but first when i was here with business news and president trump is unveiled his long awaited tax reform plans that's right amrita what we do know is that it could well stand to benefit corporations and middle income

told the european parliament there was now a window of opportunity to build a more united union after a bruising couple of years he also wants migrants who don't want refugee protection to be sent back home. i missing of the arab league in cairo descended into a shouting match ministers from the four blockading countries and cattle traded accusations a catcher a diplomats accuse some governments of waging a media campaign against doha russia's defense minister is in the syrian capital damascus to discuss military cooperation he held a meeting with the president bashar al assad focusing on efforts to take control of the resort which had been held by isis or for more than three years fifty five people are now confirmed dead in the u.s. in the caribbean after hurricane but their office that number could rise more news on the web site is there for you all the time al jazeera dot com i'm back at the usual time tomorrow up next it's inside story season. germany's first female chancellor leaves the opinion polls in the run up to this month's federal election will voters forgive her for some

. >>> the european parliament is warning the government of venezuela it could face sanctions if it does not begin negotiations with opposition leaders. members met in france yesterday talking about the political crisis in venezuela. there have been months of antigovernment protest within venezuela. critics say the leftist president has become a dictator who doesn't respect the opposition -controlled congress. the european parliament says it is committed to finding a peaceful solution, but they will consider all options in dealing with this issue. >> the primary responsibility for ending this crisis lies in the country. and yet, we will not close our eyes to the suffering of the people of venezuela. >> there are reports this morning of possible talk starting between the venezuelan government and opposition leaders. >>> people who lived through hurricane irma as it hit the caribbean are now talking about their terrifying experiences. people evacuated from the islands of sin -- saint maarten and the u.s. virgin islands. they spoke about the trauma of hurricane irma. it was one of the stron

days before months as pathetic well here's a quick look at what the former european parliament president is best known for among voters. make europe great again. as we mentioned bottom sos has ruled out keeping the so-called grand coalition going between the social democrats and on the limit you now he will be the main face of the opposition but how much of a challenge so it will pose to merkel is unclear as he agrees with the chance along so many key issues as our correspondent mark gasnier explains choices choices choices to leave or to remain. in clinton. or less all of them monumental decisions with global record question now it's germany merkel this is should be nice this is not much of a different take merkel's refugee policy obama then says when i have a clear stance on any refugee limit which is that i will not accept it. and he is sure it's just a vengeance will those people bring also is more valuable than money that's what europe believes in the same story with europe they want more of it more you rock received more union and more brushed. with germany at the wheel bearing elo

monsanto's from the european parliament after refusing to attend a hearing questioning studies about this project. it is great to have you with us this hour many thanks my name's neil harvey and this is our international. the spanish region of catalonia is on the verge of what could prove to be an historic decision with this independence referendum for sunday and tensions are mounting in the region with extra police deployed to the streets and raids to prevent the counting of electronic votes barcelona crowds have been gathering to protest against the upcoming vote throughout the day. and even trade spanish unionists staged the rally in front of city hall to sing singing the anthem of the fascist spanish language party number of protesters also gave nazi salutes and as tensions mount between madrid and barcelona officials from both sides have been trading accusations that streams. it will. clearly be. are. adopting. you know people who. are against referendum even the editor of the government has crossed a very dangerous red line he has decided to resurrect the burst of franco as. on

and grow chemical giant monsanto has been banned from the european parliament after refusing to attend the hearing questioning studies about its products. very good evening to you my name is the this is our team international. spanish region of catalonia is on the verge of what could prove to be an historic decision for this independence referendum for sunday tensions are mounting in the region with extra police deployed on the streets and raids to prevent the counting of electronic votes is the latest pictures that we have for you from barcelona crowds have gathered to protest against the upcoming referendum similar demonstrations have been stays throughout the day cross the capital and capital. in mali madrid spanish unionists staged a rally there against the vote in front of the sea. hall activists were seen singing the anthem of the fascist spanish followings party a number of protesters also gave nazi salutes and as tensions mount between madrid and barcelona officials from both sides have been trading accusations extremism. if there is disturbance it will clearly be on the side o

and agro chemical giant monsanto has been banned from the european parliament that's refusing to attend the hearing questioning studies about. getting into thanks for joining us this hour here on our. spanish region of catalonia is on the verge of what could prove to be an historic decision with this independence referendum fall sunday tensions are mounting in the region with extra police deployed on the streets and raids to prevent the counting of electronic votes your latest pictures for you from barcelona where crowds have gathered to protest against the. coming site similar demonstrations in states throughout the day across the country i treat spanish unionists they used to rally against the referendum in front of the city. vis a scene singing the anthem of the fascist spanish party a number of protesters we forgave nazi salutes tensions mount between. officials from both sides have been trading accusations of extremist. it would. clearly be. our. adopting. you know people who. are against. it is the editor of the government has crossed a very dangerous red line he has decided to re

the best model or else to stand up and break this silence sure it's a former president of the european parliament merkel the leader of europe's powerhouse as i think it we would be ans have our think in our own hands continued to maintain that the twenty seven member states must work intensively together for our future to make the two even share a dislike of if not hatred for the man in charge across the ocean orange in that. there are lots of concerns about their gresham of the north korean dictator we need the united states of america as a peaceful power but we have to bring them on the path of rationality and that means diplomatic solutions to. the problem that we have with trump is that he is unpredictable in that sense who should we talked to not even a pre-election debate can get the two to clash or spock's to fly what was supposed to be a jewel looked more like a jew at the ball and stella could us all p.s. . all traditional. they have their mind the differences on that but as one german wheat put it the biggest difference between merkel and shoot is the. more i get. the free democratic pa

the president of the european commission, jean—claude juncker, has told the european parliament that itain will soon regret its decision to leave the eu. in his annual speech on the state of the european union, mrjuncker also outlined his plans for a more integrated eu. now on bbc news, wednesday in parliament. hello and welcome to wednesday in parliament. the news from westminster: the labour leader accuses the government of neglecting ordinary people. a conservative prime minister once told britain, you've never had it so good. now tory mps tell each other, we've never had it so good. but the prime minister says voters can't trust labour. he promised voters he would deliver on brexit. and he's let them down. what people know is that it's only the conservatives that deliver a better britain. also in the programme, mps back a labour motion calling for an end to the pay cap for nhs workers. myself and my colleagues are minded to support the motion that he has put before the house this evening. but it would be appropriate if true sincerity was shown by all members of this house and they

a constructive spirit, and today, i discussed the state of play of the negotiations in the european parliamentis morning and just now. the european union is keen and eager to understand better how the uk government will translate the prime minister's speech into negotiating positions. this is essential, and would enable us to advance this week, i hope, and make real progress over the coming months. real progress of the three main issues, citizens, ireland, financial settlement, is essential to move to the discussion as the transition, as well as in the future. michel barnier verma. the brexit secretary david davis at the same short briefing told reporters that progress could be made on one potential stumbling block to a deal being struck. 0n the financial settlement, as part ofa 0n the financial settlement, as part of a smooth and orderly brexit, we do not want our eu partners to worry that we will need to pay more received less over the remainder of the current budget plan at over top oui’ the current budget plan at over top our decision to leave. the uk will honour commitments we have made d

spoke for months as a pathetic well here's a quick look at what the former european parliament president is best known for among voters. make europe great again. as we mentioned bottom sos has ruled out keeping the so-called grand coalition going between the social democrats and on the limit you now he will be the main face of the opposition but how much of a challenge so it will pose to muckle is unclear as he agrees with the chance along so many key issues as our correspondent mark explains choices choices choices to leave or to remain. in clinton micron or less all of them monumental decisions with global reckless caution now it's germany merkel this is should be nice this is not that much of a different take merkel's refugee policy obama says when i have a clear stance on any refugee limit which is that i will not accept it. and he is should also mention some of those people bring also is more valuable than money that's what europe believes in the same story with europe they want more of it more you rock received more union and more brusque. with germany at the wheel apparently local

so the different makes for you agree can we please or accusing the european parliament of censorship why well it seems itself to twelve of twenty eight works by greek artists were deemed to be too controversial to be put on display the big exhibitions of the brady sixty years of the e.u. . as the story. twenty seventeen marks the sixtieth anniversary of the european union the perfect time to remember all the great values europe stands for like freedom of speech difference of opinion and perhaps with a touch of humor well that's exactly what two european m.p. thought when they decided to organize an exit vision of a youth themed political cartoons but little did they know twelve and she's out of twenty eight submitted by greek artists would be rejected by an e.u. official responsible for cultural and artistic events. several cartoons have very controversial content some cartoons have to be withdrawn one of the two organizers of this artistic adventure an m.e.p. from greece recall how all kinds of excuses were used to reject these works of art he said that. while. there are general ele

on a lighter note next greek heavy pieces are accusing the european parliament of censorship and south to twelve of twenty eight works by greek artist were deemed too controversial to be shown at an exhibition celebrating sixty years of the e.u. as my goal francis said the argos by funding at twenty seventeen marks the sixtieth anniversary of the european union the perfect time to remember all the great values europe stands for like freedom of speech difference of opinion and perhaps with a touch of humor well that's exactly what two european m.p. thought when they decided to organize an exhibit of the youth themed political cartoons but little did they know twelve entries out of twenty eight submitted by greek artists would be rejected by an e.u. official responsible for cultural and artistic events. several cartoons have very controversial content some curtains have to be withdrawn now that laysan gentleman sounds like censorship still you are one of the organizing i mean he is puzzled to say the least. of their europe you have to get in is by laughing hume or the sense of being huma

is the best model for us to stand up and break the silence shoots a former president of the european parliament. the leader of europe's powerhouse as i think it here we europeans have our things in our own hands i'll continue to maintain that the twenty seven member states must work intensively together for our future. the two even share a dislike of if not hatred for the man in charge across the ocean. in the topic there are lots of concerns about their direction of the north korean dictator we need the united states of america as a peaceful holocaust but we have to bring them on the path of rationality and that means diplomatic solutions. the problem that we have with trump is that he is unpredictable in that sense should we talked to not even a pre-election debate couldn't get the two to clash sparks to fly what was supposed to be a jewel looked more like a jew it civil and stella could us over pierce i was like a little guy you thank you. for america station thank them made a difference in this. but one german we put it the biggest difference between merkel it sure is that the more ideas th

conflict zone is in berlin and my guess is junk politicians on the me he is a member of the european parliament and the social democrats who have just suffered this down the defeat now that the votes are counted germany had it. welcome to quadriga that it's not about me and the i can't tell you about it this is a women's talk w. . more women. more talk we hope our station you'll find out this way w. . the german election is over and angela merkel who were the remain chancellor this week conflict zone is in berlin and my guest is german politician on elites he is a member of the european parliament and the social democrats who have just suffered down the defeat now that the votes are counted as germany had.

the president of the european commission, jean—claude juncker, has told the european parliament that . in his annual speech on the state of the european union, mrjuncker outlined his plans for a more integrated eu, an opportunity which he said would be provided by brexit. 0ur europe correspondent, damian grammaticas, has the story. this was a striking shift from the eu, its leaders oozing optimism because they believe the worst crises of recent years are behind them. europe's economy is now growing faster than america's. the migrant serge receding. even brexit has not proved fatal to their union. translation: on the 29th march 2019, the united kingdom will leave the european union. it will be a sad and tragic moment. we will always regret it, and you will come to regret it soon. what's striking, listening to this whole speech, is that that's the only reference mrjuncker‘s made to brexit in an hour of talking. the rest of it has all been about the eu without the uk, setting out his vision for the future. and he wants quite far—reaching change, an eu that both grows bigger and integrate

he is a member of the european parliament and the social democrats who have just.

coming in to ta ke european parliament, coming in to take some of those votes.tics works is coalition government but they could be all sorts of coalitions. but this matters because of the future of europe, they don't want this emmanuel macron vision, but the liberal party, who looked to be more lenient and more likely to discuss with britain after brexit, so that will change politics as well. and then the word on the afd party, who emerged four years ago after the migration crisis and they got a huge surge in support. some differences in france with front national. they need about 2 million votes to get into parliament of the 43 million likely to vote and at the moment they are likely to get into parliament. six parties, potentially, for the first time since the second world war. potentially, for the first time since the second world wanm potentially, for the first time since the second world war. it is going to be a fascinating election. and we'll be bringing you a special programme live from berlin shortly after the polls close, including reaction to the first