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Climate protesters turn out as Europe votes on parliament

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Climate protesters turn out as Europe votes on parliament
News

News

Climate protesters turn out as Europe votes on parliament

2019-05-24 20:32 Last Updated At:20:40

Protesters are holding rallies in several European Union countries to demand tougher action against global warming, as the 28-nation bloc votes to fill the European Parliament.

Thousands attended a rally Friday in Berlin, where mostly young people waved banners with slogans such as "There is no planet B" or "Plant trees, save the bees, clean the seas."

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Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' beneath the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, in Rome, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Maurizio BrambattiANSA via AP)

Protesters are holding rallies in several European Union countries to demand tougher action against global warming, as the 28-nation bloc votes to fill the European Parliament.

Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' beneath the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, in Rome, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Maurizio BrambattiANSA via AP)

Clara Kirchhoff said the election for the EU's 751-seat assembly was particularly important for tackling climate change on a continental level.

A toy monkey wears a banner as young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' in Parliament Square in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

A toy monkey wears a banner as young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' in Parliament Square in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' near Parliament in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' near Parliament in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' near Parliament in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' near Parliament in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

Young protestors hold a sign reading 'vote for the planet because your kids can't' ahead of the European elections during a climate strike of school students as part of the Fridays for Future movement in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Boris Roesslerdpa via AP)

Young protestors hold a sign reading 'vote for the planet because your kids can't' ahead of the European elections during a climate strike of school students as part of the Fridays for Future movement in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Boris Roesslerdpa via AP)

A protestor holds a symbolic earth in his hand during a climate strike of school students as part of the Fridays for Future movements Muenster, Germany, Friday, March 24, 2019. (Guido Kirchnerdpa via AP)

A protestor holds a symbolic earth in his hand during a climate strike of school students as part of the Fridays for Future movements Muenster, Germany, Friday, March 24, 2019. (Guido Kirchnerdpa via AP)

Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' in Parliament Square in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' in Parliament Square in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

Young climate activists demonstrate in front of the Finnish Parliament building in Helsinki, Finland, Friday May 24, 2019, a global day of student protests aiming to spark world leaders into action on climate change. (Vesa MoilanenLehtikuva via AP)

Young climate activists demonstrate in front of the Finnish Parliament building in Helsinki, Finland, Friday May 24, 2019, a global day of student protests aiming to spark world leaders into action on climate change. (Vesa MoilanenLehtikuva via AP)

Thousands of students demonstrate front of the Credit Suisse bank during a « Climate strike » protest in Lausanne, Switzerland, Friday, May 24, 2019. Students from several countries worldwide plan to skip class Friday in protest over their governments' failure to act against global warming. (Jean-Christophe BottKeystone via AP)

Thousands of students demonstrate front of the Credit Suisse bank during a « Climate strike » protest in Lausanne, Switzerland, Friday, May 24, 2019. Students from several countries worldwide plan to skip class Friday in protest over their governments' failure to act against global warming. (Jean-Christophe BottKeystone via AP)

People take part in the demonstration Global Strike for Climate, in Stockholm, Sweden, Friday,  May 24, 2019. (Janerik HenrikssonTT News Agency via AP)

People take part in the demonstration Global Strike for Climate, in Stockholm, Sweden, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Janerik HenrikssonTT News Agency via AP)

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg takes part in the demonstration Global Strike for Climate, in Stockholm, Sweden, Friday,  May 24, 2019. (Janerik HenrikssonTT News Agency via AP)

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg takes part in the demonstration Global Strike for Climate, in Stockholm, Sweden, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Janerik HenrikssonTT News Agency via AP)

A young protestor takes part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' in Parliament Square in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

A young protestor takes part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' in Parliament Square in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

Many protesters will be too young to vote when Germans cast ballots Sunday in the European Parliament election, but are pressing family and older friends to consider the world's long-term future.

Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' beneath the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, in Rome, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Maurizio BrambattiANSA via AP)

Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' beneath the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, in Rome, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Maurizio BrambattiANSA via AP)

Clara Kirchhoff said the election for the EU's 751-seat assembly was particularly important for tackling climate change on a continental level.

The 17-year-old says "there's no point in Germany doing a lot for the climate and others not pulling their weight."

Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' beneath the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, in Rome, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Maurizio BrambattiANSA via AP)

Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' beneath the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, in Rome, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Maurizio BrambattiANSA via AP)

A toy monkey wears a banner as young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' in Parliament Square in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

A toy monkey wears a banner as young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' in Parliament Square in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' near Parliament in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' near Parliament in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' near Parliament in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' near Parliament in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

Young protestors hold a sign reading 'vote for the planet because your kids can't' ahead of the European elections during a climate strike of school students as part of the Fridays for Future movement in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Boris Roesslerdpa via AP)

Young protestors hold a sign reading 'vote for the planet because your kids can't' ahead of the European elections during a climate strike of school students as part of the Fridays for Future movement in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Boris Roesslerdpa via AP)

A protestor holds a symbolic earth in his hand during a climate strike of school students as part of the Fridays for Future movements Muenster, Germany, Friday, March 24, 2019. (Guido Kirchnerdpa via AP)

A protestor holds a symbolic earth in his hand during a climate strike of school students as part of the Fridays for Future movements Muenster, Germany, Friday, March 24, 2019. (Guido Kirchnerdpa via AP)

Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' in Parliament Square in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

Young demonstrators take part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' in Parliament Square in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

Young climate activists demonstrate in front of the Finnish Parliament building in Helsinki, Finland, Friday May 24, 2019, a global day of student protests aiming to spark world leaders into action on climate change. (Vesa MoilanenLehtikuva via AP)

Young climate activists demonstrate in front of the Finnish Parliament building in Helsinki, Finland, Friday May 24, 2019, a global day of student protests aiming to spark world leaders into action on climate change. (Vesa MoilanenLehtikuva via AP)

Thousands of students demonstrate front of the Credit Suisse bank during a « Climate strike » protest in Lausanne, Switzerland, Friday, May 24, 2019. Students from several countries worldwide plan to skip class Friday in protest over their governments' failure to act against global warming. (Jean-Christophe BottKeystone via AP)

Thousands of students demonstrate front of the Credit Suisse bank during a « Climate strike » protest in Lausanne, Switzerland, Friday, May 24, 2019. Students from several countries worldwide plan to skip class Friday in protest over their governments' failure to act against global warming. (Jean-Christophe BottKeystone via AP)

People take part in the demonstration Global Strike for Climate, in Stockholm, Sweden, Friday,  May 24, 2019. (Janerik HenrikssonTT News Agency via AP)

People take part in the demonstration Global Strike for Climate, in Stockholm, Sweden, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Janerik HenrikssonTT News Agency via AP)

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg takes part in the demonstration Global Strike for Climate, in Stockholm, Sweden, Friday,  May 24, 2019. (Janerik HenrikssonTT News Agency via AP)

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg takes part in the demonstration Global Strike for Climate, in Stockholm, Sweden, Friday, May 24, 2019. (Janerik HenrikssonTT News Agency via AP)

A young protestor takes part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' in Parliament Square in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

A young protestor takes part in a demonstration organised by 'Global Strike 4 Climate' in Parliament Square in London, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth)

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed satisfaction on Monday after a series of candidates supported by his party won weekend races for mayor.

Candidates from his pro-European Union centrist Civic Coalition, or running with the party's backing, won in a series of cities in the second round of local elections held on Sunday, among them Krakow, Poznan, Wroclaw and Rzeszow.

“It is very difficult to clearly say who won and who lost,” Tusk said Monday. “But if we compare these results, especially in the most attractive places, on these attractive battlefields ... then I actually have reasons for satisfaction.”

“Law and Justice has simply disappeared in many places,” Tusk added at a news conference, referring to the main opposition party.

The results put Civic Coalition in a favorable position as the country looks next to elections to the European Parliament on June 9.

Mayors were chosen in a total of 748 cities and towns where no single candidate won at least 50% of the vote during the first round on April 7.

Candidates for Tusk’s party also recaptured cities where they had not held power for many years, including Zielona Gora, Legnica and Torun.

The local and regional elections were viewed as a test for Tusk's pro-European Union government four months after it took power at the national level. Sunday's second round strengthened the Tusk government's leverage in the cities, which should facilitate cooperation on development projects and allotment of EU funds.

Tusk's allies also won in some places in the first round two weeks ago, including in Warsaw, where incumbent Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski was an easy victor.

In the first round, the right-wing Law and Justice, prevailed on the level of regional assemblies in the country's 16 provinces, where it took 34.3% of the votes, while Tusk's Civic Coalition got 30.6%. Law and Justice governed on the national level from 2015-23.

Tusk’s socially liberal Civic Coalition traditionally has strong support in cities, while Law and Justice has a more solid base in conservative rural areas, particularly in eastern Poland.

Civic Coalition is the largest group in a three-party coalition that governs the EU nation of 38 million people. The coalition is pro-European Union but otherwise spans a wide ideological spectrum with left-wing politicians in the Left party as well as conservatives in the Third Way.

Polish voters take part in a local runoff election in Lomianki, near Warsaw, Poland on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Voters are choosing mayors who did not win outright in the first round of the election two weeks earlier. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Polish voters take part in a local runoff election in Lomianki, near Warsaw, Poland on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Voters are choosing mayors who did not win outright in the first round of the election two weeks earlier. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Campaign posters promote candidates as Poles vote in local and regional elections in Lomianki, near Warsaw, Poland on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Voters are choosing mayors who did not win outright in the first round of the election two weeks earlier. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Campaign posters promote candidates as Poles vote in local and regional elections in Lomianki, near Warsaw, Poland on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Voters are choosing mayors who did not win outright in the first round of the election two weeks earlier. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Polish voters take part in a local runoff election in Lomianki, near Warsaw, Poland on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Voters are choosing mayors who did not win outright in the first round of the election two weeks earlier. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Polish voters take part in a local runoff election in Lomianki, near Warsaw, Poland on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Voters are choosing mayors who did not win outright in the first round of the election two weeks earlier. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Polish voters take part in a local runoff election in Lomianki, near Warsaw, Poland on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Voters are choosing mayors who did not win outright in the first round of the election two weeks earlier. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Polish voters take part in a local runoff election in Lomianki, near Warsaw, Poland on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Voters are choosing mayors who did not win outright in the first round of the election two weeks earlier. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

FILE - Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk reacts during his and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meeting with students in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk is celebrating a victory on Monday April 22, 2024 after a series of candidates supported by his party won weekend races for mayor. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)

FILE - Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk reacts during his and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meeting with students in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk is celebrating a victory on Monday April 22, 2024 after a series of candidates supported by his party won weekend races for mayor. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)

FILE - Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk listens to the media in Berlin, Germany, Friday, March 15, 2024. Tusk is celebrating a victory on Monday April 22, 2024 after a series of candidates supported by his party won weekend races for mayor. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)

FILE - Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk listens to the media in Berlin, Germany, Friday, March 15, 2024. Tusk is celebrating a victory on Monday April 22, 2024 after a series of candidates supported by his party won weekend races for mayor. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)

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