Roberta Metsola re-elected as European Parliament president
Roberta Metsola re-elected as President of the European Parliament, Brussels, July 16, 2024 (AA Photo)
Roberta Metsola has been re-elected as President of the European Parliament (EP) for another term.
Following the elections held in European Union (EU) countries from June 6 to 9, the EP General Assembly convened in Strasbourg.
In the first session of the 10th legislative term, 720 members of the parliament, who will serve for the next five years, elected the EP President.
In a vote between European People’s Party (EPP) candidate and incumbent President Roberta Metsola and Spanish MP Irene Montero from the Left Group, Metsola secured the absolute majority to be re-elected as EP President.
Metsola received 562 votes in the secret ballot, while Montero garnered 61 votes.
Who is Roberta Metsola?
Roberta Metsola, who will serve as EP President for another 2.5 years, was born in Malta in 1979.
While studying law at the University of Malta, Metsola became involved in politics and youth movements.
Her first role in the EP came in the 2013 elections when she was elected as an MP to represent her country in Brussels. Metsola served as the First Vice President of the EP from 2020 to 2022.
In January 2022, Metsola was elected as EP President, succeeding David Sassoli, who passed away suddenly, becoming the youngest person to hold this position.
Metsola, a Christian Democrat belonging to the same political group as Ursula von der Leyen, symbolized the increasing influence of relatively small countries within the Union’s leadership.
One of the biggest crises in Metsola’s career was the corruption scandal linked to the EP that erupted at the end of 2022.
She faced criticism for managing the scandal, particularly involving her aide Eva Kaili, and for the insufficiency of her anti-corruption measures.
The Maltese politician will preside over the EP’s plenary sessions, during which current issues will be debated, the Commission’s legislative proposals will be discussed, and non-binding resolutions will be voted on.
The EP shares legislative authority with the EU Council.
