The Record: Europe

18 July edition
Lucy Thomas
Producer

MEPs make historic choice for president

The newly-elected European Parliament has held its first session this week, with MEPs vying for political influence.

They have appointed a president of the parliament, making history by choosing a member from the former Communist East.

But MEPs refused to endorse the re-appointment of Jose Manuel Barroso as President of the European Commission.

The term ahead

The discussion in full

Shirin Wheeler will be assessing the significance of all this and looking forward to the parliamentary term ahead with four MEPs:

• Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, leader of the Polish centre-right MEPs

• Brian Simpson, British Labour MEP and newly-elected chairman of the transport committee

• Sophia in 't Veld, Dutch Liberal MEP

• Paul Nuttall MEP, chairman of the UK Independence Party and newcomer to the European Parliament

British Conservatives

British Conservative MEPs are in disarray, only a week after they formed the anti-federalist group, the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).

British Conservative MEPs in disarray

The longest-serving Tory MEP, Edward McMillan-Scott, has been expelled from the Conservatives after defying the party leadership over his decision to stand as vice-president of the parliament.

And the leader of the British Conservative group of MEPs, Timothy Kirkhope, was forced to stand down as acting leader of the new ECR group to make way for a Polish MEP - who Mr McMillan-Scott accuses of having inappropriate views.

Shirin Wheeler speaks to those at the centre of the row:

• Edward McMillan-Scott MEP, former British Conservative delegation member

• Timothy Kirkhope MEP, leader of the British Conservatives in the European Parliament

• Michal Kaminski MEP, newly-elected leader of the European Conservatives and Reformists

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The Record: Europe examines the key moments in the political week in Brussels and Strasbourg and focuses on the work of the European Parliament and European Commission.

It is broadcast on BBC Parliament on Saturdays at 2300, Sundays at 1700 and Mondays at 1000, on BBC World on Saturdays at 1330 and Sundays at 0630 and on the BBC News channel on Sundays at 0530 and Mondays at 0330.