Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 July, 2024 at 1:26 pm by Andre Camilleri
Roberta Metsola has won Tuesday’s European Parliament presidency vote, receiving the absolute majority of 562 votes, being re-elected as President of the institution for another two and a half years.
She is the first woman in EU history to hold the European Parliament presidency for two terms. She needed 312 votes to receive absolute majority, which she surpassed, obtaining a total of 562 votes out of the 623 valid votes cast. There were 76 blank or spoiled votes. This means that Metsola won 90.2% of the valid votes cast, which has been touted to be a record.
In her speech at Strasbourg’s first plenary session after the European Parliament elections last month, Metsola said that she will “never shy away from taking the difficult decisions.”
Metsola’s contender was Spanish MEP Irene Montero from the Left group, who received just 61 votes. She entered the race on Monday just before the call for nominations closed.
Following her election, Metsola spoke of a Europe for everyone, wanting people to recapture that sense of belief and enthusiasm to make the shared space safer, fairer, stronger and better.
Metsola said that the EU must prepare for its enlargement, to extend Europe’s hand to the Western Balkan countries who are not yet members, such as Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. “We must be ready to face this new world, we must not be afraid to face down autocrats, and live up to the promise, and stand for Europe, building a union which works for all of us,” Metsola said.
The Russian aggression on Ukraine will remain on top of the Parliament’s agenda, and Metsola also spoke about the situation in the Middle East, where she said that “even in the fog of war, ours must be the voice of humanity pushing for an end to the violence and for a two-state-solution, as well as the return of all hostages.”
“We must be a Europe which remembers, and learns from past struggles, and recognise the fight of so many who stood for their ideals, those who stood in front of tanks and bullets,” Metsola said.
She said that the comfort of easy politics does not offer real solutions, and so Europe must continue building on being the counter to autocracy, and not being afraid to take the difficult path.
Metsola said that equality in Europe must offer the same chances to people to fulfill their potential, the equality of opportunity which recognises differences.
She said that MEPs share responsibility in leaving Europe a better place than the one they found, and mentioned the security and defence framework which keeps people safe in the face of threats, keeps the peace, and understands that what is being faced is real.
“The successes we remember the most are the ones where Europe has simplified people’s lives, giving real solutions. We can give people hope and dignity,” Metsola said.
She spoke of pensions and wages that meet social expectations, and the “looming” housing crisis in Europe, where she said that the EP must have the tools to address it.
Metsola said that Europe must also mean community, and a safe space for women and people who want to be and love who they want.
She said that democracy cannot be taken for granted, and Europe must “plug the gap that is so dark with a viable solution, in line with our European values.”
“Europe is hope, and belief, and all of us. It remains the answer, Vive l’Europe,” Metsola said.
Metsola, also delivered a speech earlier in the day, prior to the votes being cast.
“To me, Europe was worth fighting for. It was never perfect, but we look at the EU Parliament as a symbol of standards, opportunity and reconciliation, our guarantee of rule of law, equality, democracy, liberty and prosperity,” Metsola said.
She said that people in Europe have been given a chance to acknowledge that their potential is not limited, which is what Europe means for millions of people.
Metsola said she wants to help build a better Europe, and bridge the remaining gaps of what people expect for Europe.
“The challenges coming our way will require strong leadership, whether we push forward with legislation that people need, negotiating with institutions, or standing up in Kyiv,” Metsola said.
She said that the last mandate has shown that “the future is anything but predictable,” but she is committed to face such challenges.
“I stood here, two and a half years ago, after my predecessor David Sassoli passed away, and he put the dignity of the people above all. I promised then that I would honour his legacy, and I renew that now, with your support, I will tirelessly continue bringing the people together,” Metsola said.
She said that the EP must be a House which is not afraid to lead and change, and she is committed to strengthening and streamlining operations to ensure that the Parliament is the legislative political powerhouse it can be.
Metsola said that parliamentarian’s roles should be empowered and supported, and not diluted, as they are the ones who are able to say when proposals go too far, or not far enough, whether they are too expensive, or impossible to implement.
“We must push legislations that the people want and need, and do all that is necessary to achieve that,” she said.
She encouraged a Parliament of debate and respect, which argues respective opinions in lively sessions which capture the people’s attention.
Metsola said that red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy must be cut, for a Parliament which is less about ticking boxes, and more about common sense, and where every member and all staff feel respected, protected, and proud of come to work.
“We can do that in a Parliament of integrity,” Metsola said, adding that it must also amplify the voice of humanity in the Middle East as the EP searches for a sustainable way forward.
“I will never shy away from taking difficult decisions, and my door will always remain open. I am proud to stand here today, and if you choose to lend me your trust, I will not let you down,” she said, addressing MEPs.
In her speech prior to the voting process, Montero said that the European Left has presented her candidacy to defend a “Europe of peace, which is calling for an end of genocide, a green, feminist, and anti-fascist Europe,” which focuses on social justice and workers. Montero said that Europe is seeing a war consensus being imposed, which is bringing suffering for workers and social classes due to increases in energy prices, as well as austerity where many cannot make ends meet.
She said the priority for Europe must be to “put an end of the destruction of social and workers rights.”
Montero said that the rights of women and those who are LGBTIQ+ are being threatened, and these rights may be questioned once again due to the political, economic and religious crisis. She said that abortions must be made legal, free and safe, and the rights of transexual people must be guaranteed to put an end of that phobia. “We want an anti-racist Europe. We cannot support an anti-immigration policy which treats migrants as criminals. Our migratory policy has to respond to correct principles,” Montero said.
Montero said that sanctions and other measures should be imposed on Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the genocide of Palestinian people, just as Europe had done with Vladimir Putin on his invasion of Ukraine.
The European Parliament is composed of a number of political parties. The total number of members comprising the EP’s EPP group is 188, with the Socialist group comprising of 136 members. Patriots for Europe are comprised of 84 members, with the Conservatists being comprised of 84 members. Renew Europe has 77 members, and Europe’s Green Party is comprised of 53 members. The Left Group is comprised of 46 MEPs, and 25 members make up the Europe of Sovereign Nations part. 32 MEPs are non-attached members.
Metsola has occupied the post of European Parliament President since January 2022. She has been a Member of the European Parliament since 2013 on behalf of the Nationalist Party.
