European Socialists and the Italian Partito Democratico have officially established the second largest political group in the European Parliament ­ The Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats. The 183­strong group has elected German politician Martin Schulz as its leader.

Schulz has set out three key challenges for the new group ­ to ensure greater social justice in Europe, to enhance democracy and to protect human dignity in the face of growing extremism across the continent.

An MEP since 1994, Schulz was Chairman of the SPD group in the European Parliament between 2000 and 2004.

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