The scale of the geo-political problems facing the EU cannot be under-estimated, as has been made clear by Ms von der Leyen.

Every six years, in tandem with the European parliamentary election, the EU changes the management of its top jobs.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has hailed the nomination of Ursula von der Leyen for the European Commission Presidency.

Spain has confirmed it will allow British citizens to stay in the country if the UK leaves the European Union without a deal.

Hundreds of thousands of Catalans took to the streets of Barcelona to voice their opposition to the region's declaration of independence.

German Christian Democrat Hans-Gert Poettering, a veteran European politician, was elected president of the European Parliament today until 2009, an official said.

The blue-and-gold EU flag fluttered across Bucharest and strobe lights flashed through the sky today as Romania prepared to celebrate the country's induction into the European Union.

The Taoiseach travels to Brussels today to address the European Parliament on the future of Europe.

European Parliament members have renewed calls for the legislature to be based permanently in Brussels, citing massive costs of the monthly commute to the eastern French city of Strasbourg, where the assembly formally has its seat but works only four days a month.

The European Union edged closer to a seven-year budget after negotiators backed down from demanding an €11.4bn increase, breaking a four-month deadlock.

MEPs meeting in Strasbourg responded to the London bomb blasts with a show of solidarity today.

The European Parliament has held a minute's silence for the victims of this morning's suspected bomb attacks in London.

EUROPEAN Parliament President Josep Borrell will hold talks today with senior European MPs in a bid to break the “wall of silence” surrounding the murder of Robert McCartney.

European Parliament President Josep Borrell is holding talks with senior Euro-MPs tomorrow in a bid to break the “wall of silence” surrounding the murder of Belfast man Robert McCartney.

Three of Belfast murder victim Robert McCartney’s sisters are taking their campaign for justice to Brussels tomorrow.

Pope John Paul II’s flu and breathing problems are improving and he is eating regular food, the Vatican said, without giving specifics on when the frail, 84-year-old pontiff might leave the hospital or resume his regular activities.

Members of the European Parliament stood for a minute of silence this morning to pay tribute to the victims of the Holocaust on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp.

The European Parliament gave its overwhelming endorsement to the EU’s first-ever constitution today and urged member governments to quickly follow suit.

A compromise deal to save the next European Commission was today rejected by European parliament leaders who want an anti-gay member of the new team axed.

Sinn Féin’s two MEPs are to raise the discovery of a bugging device at the party’s Belfast headquarters with the president of the European Parliament.

MEPs have elected Spaniard Josep Borrell as the new president of the European Parliament.