The Parliament votes on an economic governance package but leaves room for compromise with the Council, while MEPs vote on better EU rights for online shoppers.

The News: Deficits and debts - Internet shopping

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/15656472/N001-110623-EN.srt

At the height of the crisis, the EU's new  economic governance package is on hold

as there is no agreement  with the Member States.

Euro MPs are hoping  for an agreement next July.

Also in this edition, new rights  for EU online shoppers.

And, the rest of today's news  in brief and in pictures.

A clear signal to the Council,  without closing the door:

MEPs voted on the key issues  of economic governance,

but not the final resolution  as to keep the first reading open.

Not everyone agreed.  The EP and Council have differences

and MEPs do too,  but no time for delay.

Let's solve our problems and we must  go through painful reforms to get there

but otherwise we will put the debt burden  on our future generations

and they already have to deal  with an ageing population.

The package aims to prevent future  crises like the one in Greece,

Some fear EU leaders  have dithered too long.

They have not shown the skill  to handle this crisis

and we cannot do it  on a national basis.

So of course, Germany and France,  especially, have to act responsibly

and they've not done  that up until now.

Preventing more Greek-style crises  is one thing,

but many MEPs say tough budgetary  measures are not enough.

If you look to Greece, austerity alone  will not deliver the country from its woes,

Much disagreement concerns  the automatic penalties

on States breaking the rules,  unless the Council votes against.

France and Germany, which broke  the last Stability Pact, oppose it

Even so, MEPs hope agreement can be  reached before a final vote in July.

Satisfaction guaranteed?  Online complaints forums disagree.

In two years online shoppers  will be better protected

Pixmania, a big online electronics retailer,

found in 26 countries, says it's  a great deal for consumers.

Online now, people have 14 days  to return products

which is way above the 7 days  found in most countries before.

So you're better off dealing now  online than offline.

You'll also have the right to a refund  within 14 days

and you shouldn't wait more than  30 days for delivery.

There will be an end to pre-ticked boxes  and hidden credit card charges.

But all this has been  a struggle for MEPs.

It's one of the toughest battles  that we've had in this Parliament

because it's not a very sexy topic like  financial markets regulation and so on.

We had to find compromises  with every piece of this legislation.

Some compromises  favoured the retailers.

Consumers won't be covered  for return costs,

MEPs hope this legislation won't be  the final word on consumer rights.

2014 is some way off. I would encourage,  especially with hidden credit card costs,

for governments to act now  to protect consumer rights.

After a successful vote, ministers  from the States will have a say.

so the only worry you'll have in future  is how much it costs.

The EP approved Mario Draghi  as chief of the European Central Bank.

On Thursday, MEPs voted  for the Italian banker

to replace current ECB President  Jean-Claude Trichet this year.

His formal appointment is to be cleared  by EU leaders on Thursday.

The EP waives Adrian Severin's  parliamentary immunity.

MEPs opened the way  for the former vice-president

of the Socialist group  to face prosecution.

In March 2011, the Romanian MEP  allegedly accepted an offer

The EU Anti-Fraud Office is currently  investigating the affair.

More specific use-by dates  and legible nutritional info

Council and EP negotiators reached  a deal concerning clearer food labelling.

The agreement is due to be approved  by the EP in the July plenary.