The Christian-democratic EPP group has elected Roberta Metsola as its candidate to become President of the European Parliament. Metsola defeated her Dutch colleague Esther de Lange in the first round of voting with a two-thirds majority.
The interim re-election of the Italian social democrat David Sassoli is scheduled for January. It is not yet known whether Sassoli will run for re-election or if the S&D will present another candidate for the second half of the term.
Group leader Manfred Weber said the EPP is willing to negotiate with their liberal coalition partner Renew on adjustments to the coalition agreement agreed in 2019, hoping to secure their support for the presidency. He also called on the S&D to honor the 2019 agreement that the EPP would take over the presidency and not field their own candidate.
Initially, Weber himself was supposed to take over the interim presidency of the Parliament, but he recently announced that he wants to devote more time and energy to strengthening European Christian democracy and German politics. In response to reporters’ questions about whether he is preparing for a return to German politics, Weber said his future lies in Europe.
Metsola said in an initial reaction she was honored to have received a strong mandate from the EPP Group. “The second half of this term will be crucial for Europe – I will work hard to continue building bridges with other groups, to advance important legislation, and to bring decision-making closer to the people in every member state.”
The Maltese politician has been one of the vice-presidents of the European Parliament since 2019 and has often substituted for Sassoli. Asked what she will do differently than Sassoli, she said she has previously supported proposals to allow interruptions during plenary meetings. She also wants more debates in committees and plenary sessions, rather than just statements.
According to Weber, she will be the face of a strong, modern, and more visible European Parliament. “And, yes, we also think it is high time the next President of the European Parliament is a woman!” he emphasized.