EU Parliament

LGBTQ and women's rights are particularly targeted in the current proliferation of hate speech and backsliding on human rights in the world. This is acknowledged by the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, appointed in March, that explained his priorities to MEPs.

Von der Leyen used her speech to MEPs to appeal to the votes she still needed. Now that she's been approved in a narrow victory, these groups are both excited and sceptical about if she will follow through with her promises.

The race for the EU's top job was supposed to be clear cut.

Ursula von der Leyen might not be a well-known figure across Europe just yet, but she is the longest-serving minister in Angela Merkel's cabinet. As Defence Minister, she has faced some controversy lately over contracts related to the German military.

Nico Semsrott of satirical party Die PARTEI staged a protest over European Commission presidential hopeful Ursula von der Leyen ahead of a vote on her nomination.

Von der Leyen spoke about what she called Europe's duty to save lives in the Mediterranean, citing the 17,000 people drowned there in the last 5 years. She promised a new migration pact to tackle the problem, as well as a carbon-neutral Europe by 2050 and a boost for unity across the continent.

Mainstream politicians have blocked far right and Brexit party MEPS from gaining any powerful positions on European Parliament Committees.

European Commission President candidate Ursula von der Leyen is meeting with several political groups in Brussels to try and gain their support before MEPs vote on her position in Strasbourg next week. Her most anticipated meeting comes with the Greens on Tuesday afternoon.

The week was marked by controversies of behind-closed door deals and democratic deficits as EU leaders chose the next nominees to lead the continent into the next five years. It was also the first week new MEPs took up their seats and a fair few rhetorical fireworks ensued.

New MEPs, their first ever debate. Launched by freshly elected European Parliament president David Sassoli. One topic dominated the speeches.

Parliament vs Council: How did the spitzenkandidat process get derailed?

The newly-elected Parliament has been confronted with challenges during their time in Strasbourg. Meanwhile, Brexit party MEPs are making their voices heard and organisations are calling for the EU to become a federal state. All this and more on the Brief from Brussels.

The demonstrators were protesting the fact that three of their elected MEPs were not allowed to go to work on Tuesday.

Catalan protesters demonstrate in front of EU parliament against exclusion of MEPs

The high voter turnout in May's elections proves Europe is on people’s minds. However, parties will need to work harder to establish a consensus.

It's back to school at the European Parliament as the first plenary session takes place today since the EU May's elections. Old faces are returning to the corridors of power and new ones are trying to find their way around. Some who never thought they'd be back, have unexpectedly returned.

The German Defense Minister was tapped by EU leaders to replace Jean-Claude Juncker at the end of his mandate later in the year, but her nomination needs to be approved by MEPs.

Identity and Democracy - the new name for the European Parliament's biggest eurosceptic faction.

The amount of women elected to the incoming European Parliament will increase overall female representation from 36% to 39%, but many want to see gender parity in the institutions' top positions.

This week the left-wing had a good week as the Social Democats swept the polls in Denmark, new MEPs continue to arrive in Brussels, we me a doctor who treated migrants arriving in Lampedusa and we also look ahead to next week.

A new report showed that while racial and ethnic minorities make 10 percent of the EU’s population, only 5 percent of those elected into the European Parliament this election represented those populations.

Catch Wednesday's full episode of Raw Politics.

The MEPs who came next on their national lists are waiting for Brexit to happen before they can take their seats. Because they aren't being paid, many of them are still working their current jobs.