Brussels.— The forecasts did not fail, Roberta Metsola, of the European People’s Party, was elected yesterday as president of the European Parliament, a position she will hold until the next European elections in 2024.
The vice president of the European Parliament since 2020 climbed to the presidency obtaining an absolute majority in the first round: 458 of 690 votes cast. It is estimated that Metsola’s victory added a significant number of votes from the far-right caucus, including the emissaries of the Italian Northern League. Originally from Malta, Metsola takes over from socialist David Sassoli, who died at the age of 65 on January 11, 2022 from serious complications following a dysfunction of his immune system.
In his speech in the chamber, he promised to work so that people regain enthusiasm for the community project, combating misinformation and bringing the institution closer to citizens.
“In the years to come, people across Europe will look to our institution for leadership and direction, while others will continue to test the limits of our democratic values and European principles… We must combat the anti-political narrative. -EU that spreads with such ease and speed. Misinformation and misinformation, amplified during the pandemic, fuel cynicism and the easy solutions of nationalism, authoritarianism, protectionism, and isolationism.”
He also recalled his predecessor, Sassoli: “I will honor him by defending Europe, our common values of democracy, dignity, justice, solidarity, equality, the rule of law and fundamental rights.”
He did not miss the opportunity to refer to the gender inequality that has distinguished the leadership of the European Parliament. Since the celebration of the first direct universal suffrage to elect the members of the EP, in 1979, only two women have held the presidency, the French Simone Veil and Nicole Fontaine, the latter two decades ago. “It won’t be another two decades until another woman occupies this position again,” she said. At a press conference in Strasbourg, he made reference to other commitments, including defending the safety of journalists.
A journalist asked: “As vice president you voted against abortion, are you going to continue voting against it?”, to which Metsola replied: “I am not going to vote from now on. And the vote referred to was something that had to do with my country and it was a line that I defended in that circumstance.” At 42, she has made history as the youngest European president.
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