At its party meeting on 21 March in Brussels, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) party nominated its team of seven lead candidates (Team Europe) for the presidency of the European Commission. Margrethe Vestager is the candidate taking part in the May 15 Eurovision debate. Other members of Team Europe are Nicola Beer, Emma Bonino, Violeta Bulc, Katalin Cseh, Luis Garicano and Guy Verhofstadt.

Margrethe VESTAGER, 51 (Radikale Venstre, Denmark), since 2014 serves as the European Commissioner for Competition. Previously, she was the Minister for Economic and Interior Affairs (2011) and the Minister for Education (1998) in Denmark. The candidate obtained her degree in Economics at the University of Copenhagen (1993).

#EUelections2019 - Margrethe VESTAGER, lead candidate for ALDE as member

Jan Zahradil (ODS, Czech Republic) was designated as the lead candidate for the Reformists Alliance of Europe (ACRE) on 14 November 2018.

Jan ZAHRADIL, 55, is member of the European Parliament (ECR group) since 2004 and serves as the President of ACRE. Before 2004, he was a member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic. Mr Zahradil is a researcher by profession, holding an engineering degree from the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague.

#EUelections2019 - Jan ZAHRADIL, lead candidate for the ACRE

The Party of the European Left has elected Nico Cué, 62, and Violeta Tomič, as its lead candidates.

Nico CUÉ (Liège, Belgium) is a leading figure of the Walloon and international unions’ movement and held the office of Secretary-General of the steelworkers in the FGBT union (Fédération Générale du Travail de Belgique) for 12 years.

#EUelections2019 - Nico CUÉ, lead candidate for the European Left

The European People’s Party (EPP) elected Manfred Weber (CSU, Germany) as its lead candidate for the European elections on 8 November 2018, at the Helsinki party congress.

Manfred WEBER, 46, started his political career in the regional Parliament (Bayerischer Landtag) in 2002 and was elected to the European Parliament in 2004. Since 2014, he has served as the chairman of the European People’s Party (EPP) - EPP group. The candidate obtained his degree in physical engineering at Munich University of Applied Sciences.

#EUelections2019 - Manfred WEBER, lead candidate for the EPP

European Green Party (EGP) nominated Ska Keller and Bas Eickhout as their two lead candidates for the European elections at its 23-25 November congress in Berlin. Ska Keller is the candidate taking part in the May 15 Eurovision debate.

Ska KELLER (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, Germany) studied Islamic Studies, Turkology and Jewish Studies at the Free University Berlin and the Sabanci Üniversitesi Istanbul. Elected to the European Parliament for the first time in 2009, she ran as the EGP lead candidate in the 2014 European elections campaign. Keller is co-chair of the Greens group in Parliament.

#EUelections2019 - Ska KELLER, lead candidate for the EGP

Tax avoidance by companies cost EU countries €160-190 billion per year in lost revenue.

According to a Eurobarometer survey commissioned by the European Parliament, 75% of the EU population expects more EU action on the fight against tax fraud: it is necessary to respond effectively to this concern.
The European Parliament is leading this fight by adopting ambitious and concrete proposals to increase tax transparency and combat tax avoidance. Parliament is calling for the automatic exchange of tax rulings between member states and public country-by-country reporting for multinationals, together with a common definition of tax havens and strong and concrete sanctions.

#EUelections2019 - Corporate tax transparency

The European Parliament has been pushing for the implemention of its 2030 goals to be in line with the targets set by the Paris Agreement. MEPs managed to push through a higher target for reducing EU fleet-wide emissions for new cars by 2030 (40% compared to the EU Commission’s 30%; year of reference 2021). There is an intermediate target of 20% by 2025. Similar targets are set for new vans as well.

On 17 December 2015 the EP decided to set up the Committee of inquiry into Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector (EMIS) to investigate in detail alleged breaches and maladministration in relation to emission measurements in the automotive sector. On 4 April 2019, the EMIS final report was discussed and legislation voted and approved during the plenary session in Strasbourg.

#EUelections2019 - Car emissions

The refugee and migrant crisis in Europe has exposed the need for reform of the Common European Asylum System, in general, and of the Dublin rules, in particular.

Parliament’s lead MEP on the reform of the Dublin system, Swedish liberal Cecilia Wikström, presented her draft report to the Civil Liberties Committee in October 2017. The draft report, approved by the Plenary of the Parliament in November 2017, is a first response to the Commission’s proposal, presented in May 2016, for reform of the Dublin regulation. This regulation, which determines which member state is responsible for processing an asylum application, constitutes the cornerstone of the EU asylum system, which is currently undergoing a major revamp.

The European Parliament is therefore ready to start talks on revamping the Dublin system to ensure that asylum seekers are fairly shared among EU member states.

#EUelections2019 - Common asylum policy - Dublin reform

Since 2009, the EU has undertaken a large number of reforms to establish a safer, more resilient, transparent and responsible financial system, serving the economy and society as a whole.

However, the size and complexity of a number of banks remain an issue of concern. The balance sheet of some of these banks is larger than the GDP of their home countries. These banks remain 'too big to fail' and, as a result, take advantage of the presumption that the sovereign will bail them out with taxpayers' money in case of substantial trouble, instead of letting them fail.

#EUelections2019 - Safer banks

Parliament wants all workers to benefit from minimum rights on working conditions, including those on non-traditional contracts.

On 16th April 2019 MEPs approved minimum rights for workers with on-demand, voucher-based or platform jobs, like with Uber or Deliveroo. The new rules include: minimum rights agreed for workers in casual or short-term employment; working conditions that must be made clear to workers on their first day on the job, and probationary periods that may not be longer than six months.

How is the EU fighting youth unemployment? With more than 26 million Europeans out of work, unemployment is one of the biggest issues that Europe is facing today.

#EUelections2019 - Employment

The European Parliament has been pushing for the implemention of its 2030 goals to be in line with the targets set by the Paris Agreement.

To achieve the set goals the EU’s budget should also be coherent with its international commitments, and the post-2020 long-term budget should have climate and energy targets at its heart. The share of climate-related spending should be increased from 20% to 30% as soon as possible, and all remaining spending should be Paris-compliant and not counter-productive to climate efforts.

#EUelections2019 - Climate change

In the face of persistent discrimination, Parliament calls for common rules to ensure that the rights of all national minorities are redressed and respected across the EU.

The rules stipulate that people belonging to national minorities are entitled to equal cultural, linguistic and educational rights, and member states are urged to end discriminatory practices.

MEPs call on the European Commission to draft a directive on minimum standards for minorities in the EU, including benchmarks and measures.

Parliament is also calling on EU countries to end statelessness for Roma people and to guarantee that this minority group enjoys full human rights.

#EUelections2019 - Minorities in the EU

The Special Committee on Terrorism (TERR) was set up in July 2017 and started its work in September 2017 to evaluate how to better fight terrorism. The two co-rapporteurs Ms Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE) and Ms Helga STEVENS (ECR, BE) together with the other TERR Members presented a final report to address the practical and legislative deficiencies in the fight against terrorism. Their recommendations show a way to overcome these deficiencies and to improve the fight against terrorism in the European Union. Meanwhile, the DALTON report asks Internet companies to remove terrorist content within one hour after receiving an order from the authorities to combat radicalisation and contribute to public security.

#EUelections2019 - Fight against terrorism

Almost one in six people in the EU aged 15 and over lives with some kind of disability. As the population ages, this number is expected to rise significantly.

The Commission's European Disability Strategy 2010-2020, adopted in 2010, provides guidance for implementing the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which the EU is a party.

Key products and services, such as smartphones, ATMs, ticketing machines and banking services, will be made more accessible to people with disabilities. 80 million people in the EU live with a disability.

#EUelections2019 - Persons with disabilities

Security, fight against terrorism and defence are topics of utmost importance and where the European Parliament has been active in passing new laws to help us face challenges in these fields. Important to name in this regard is the PNR directive. This directive regulates the use of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data in the EU for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime.

#EUelections2019 -  PNR

The European Parliament gave its consent in December 2018 to the EU’s trade agreement with Japan, the largest bilateral trade deal ever negotiated by the EU.

The Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Japan will remove almost all custom duties adding up to €1 billion annually for EU companies. It represents a clear stance in support of rules-based, free and fair trade “at a time of serious protectionist challenges”.

#EUelections2019 - Japan-EU Trade Agreement

European Parliament Press Seminar - A new political agenda for Europe: The priorities of the European parliament group leaders

European Parliament Press Seminar - A new political agenda for Europe: The priorities of the European parliament group leaders.

European Elections 2019 - Election night: Statement by Manfred WEBER, EPP lead candidate for the Presidency of the EC

European Elections 2019 - Election night Tv set broadcasts on the 4th floor (Visitors area PHS)

European elections 2019 - General atmosphere inside,  outside and around the European Parliament in Brussels

European Elections 2019 - Election night: arrival of Frans TIMMERMANS, PES lead candidate for the Presidency of the EC

European Elections 2019 - Election night: Tv set broadcasts and journalists in the Plenary Chamber

European Elections 2019 - Election night: arrival of Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), EPP lead candidate for the Presidency of the EC

European Elections 2019 - Election night - backstage

European elections 2019 - General atmosphere inside the Plenary chamber in European Parliament in Brussels

European Elections 2019 - Election night: First reaction by Udo BULLMANN (S&D, DE), S&D Group leader

European Elections 2019 - First reactions by Political group leaders: statement by Esther de LANGE (EPP, NL), EPP group

European Elections 2019 - First reactions by Political group leaders: statement by Hans-Olaf HENKEL (ECR,DE), ECR group Vice-Chair

Elections 2019 - Election night: First reactions by European Parliament group leaders

European Elections 2019 - First reactions by Political group leaders: statement by Guy VERHOFSTADT, ALDE group leader

European Elections 2019 - Election night: First reaction by Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE) and Ska KELLER (Greens/EFA, BE), Greens/EFA Group leaders

European Elections 2019 - First reactions by Political group leaders: statement by Gabrielle ZIMMER, GUE group leader

European Elections 2019 - Election night: arrival of Margrethe VESTAGER, ALDE lead candidate as member of Team Europe for the Presidency of the EC

European Elections 2019 - Make-up session prior to the first statements round

European Elections 2019 - Arrivals of Political group leader: arrival of Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), Group leader of the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA)

Live Replay of the vote on the election of the President of the Commission during the plenary session in Strasbourg (15-18/07/2019

Election of the President of the Commission: atmosphere following the annoucement of the results

Election of the President of the Commission: result of the vote

Announcement of the result of the election of the President of the EC by David SASSOLI, EP President, during the plenary session (15-18/07) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Ursula Von der Leyen is elected as the next President of the European Commission. The result of the vote is the following: votes cast: 733; Majority of component Members: 374; Votes in favour: 383; Votes against: 327; Abstentions: 22; and Void: 1.

Election of the President of the European Commission: extracts from the announcement of the result of the election of the President of the EC

Live Replay of the debate on the election of the President of the European Commission: statement by Ursula von der LEYEN and MEPs debate during the plenary session inStrasbourg (15-18/07/2019) The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

Election of the President of the European Commission: statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, candidate for President of the Commission (09:09-09:43)

During the plenary session (15-18 July 2019) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate with the candidate for the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen before voting on her candidacy. In her speech, Ursula von der Leyen outlines her vision as Commission President.

Election of the President of the European Commission: extracts from the statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, candidate for President of the EC

Live Replay of the debate on the election of the President of the European Commission: statement by Ursula von der LEYEN and MEPs debate during the plenary session in Strasbourg (15-18/07/2019)

Election of the President of the European Commission: MEPs debate - part 1 (10:27-11:27)

Election of the President of the European Commission: MEPs debate - part 3 (12:11-12:57)

This clip shows some installation for media coverage outside and inside the EP during the election night on 26th May 2019. Ambience shots from the EP Chamber and presentation of a series of compilation of the lead candidates and the leaders of the political groups shots on stage.

Clip: Election night 2019 - Building an election night for all Europeans

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Ursula von der LEYEN, Candidate for President of the European Commission, in the European Parliament in Brussels. Arrivals and roundtable

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Ursula von der LEYEN, Candidate for President of the European Commission: arrivals and roundtable

Press point by Ska KELLER (DE), co-Chair of the Greens/EFA group following their meeting with Ursula von der LEYEN, Candidate for President of the European Commission

Press point by Ska KELLER (DE), co-Chair of the Greens/EFA group following the meeting with Ursula von der LEYEN, Candidate for President of the European Commission

David SASSOLI, newly elected EP President meets with Antonio TAJANI, preceding EP President, in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Election of the President of the Parliament: meeting between David SASSOLI, newly elected EP President and Antonio TAJANI, preceding EP President

The audiovisual service of the European Parliament prepared several infoclips illustrating the candidates for the the presidency of the European Parliament. The President of the European Parliament will be elected on 3rd July starting at 9am. Nominations must be submitted by political groups or by 1/20th of members by 22:00 this evening. Eight tellers, drawn by lot, have been appointed to oversee the vote. Here the candidate for the Presidency of the European Parliament 2019: David SASSOLI (S&D, IT) .

Memoclip: Candidate for the Presidency of the European Parliament 2019 - David SASSOLI (S&D, IT)

In the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Ursula von der LEYEN, Candidate for President of the European Commission meets with the EPP group.

EPP group meets with Ursula von der LEYEN, Candidate for President of the European Commission: arrival and roundtable

Ursula von der LEYEN, candidate for President of the European Commission, makes a statement in the European Parliament, in Strasbourg.

Statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, candidate for President of the European Commission

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Ursula von der LEYEN, candidate for President of the European Commission during the plenary session in Strasbourg (01-04/07/2019)

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Ursula von der LEYEN, candidate for President of the European Commission: arrival and roundtable

Martin SCHIRDEWAN (GUE/NGL, DE), GUE/NGL Acting Group Leader, Manon AUBRY (GUE/NGL, FR) and Sira REGO (GUE/NGL, ES), speak to the press in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Press conference by Martin SCHIRDEWAN (GUE/NGL, DE), GUE/NGL Acting Group Leader, Manon AUBRY (GUE/NGL, FR) and Sira REGO (GUE/NGL, ES): GUE/NGL press briefing

Press point following the EPP group meeting by Manfred WEBER, EPP Group Leader, on his withdrawal as lead candidate of the EPP for the EC Presidency. Statements and Q&A. The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

Press point by Manfred WEBER, EPP Group Leader, following the EPP group meeting

Graphic presenting the composition of the European Parliament on 2 July 2019. EPP - Group of the European People's Party - 182 seats, S&D - Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats - 154 seats, ECR - European Conservatives and Reformists Group - 62 seats, Renew Europe - Renew Europe group - 108 seats, GUE/NGL - Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left - 41 seats, Greens/EFA - Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance - 74 seats, ID - Identity and Democracy - 73 seats, NI - Non-attached Members, 57 seats.

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