A large majority of members of the European Parliament voted for the Maltese woman: 562 out of 699 votes cast. Metsola will lead the European Parliament for two and a half years. The newly elected President emphasized, “I want people to regain faith and enthusiasm for our project.”
The election of the President of the European Parliament has been decided: With a clear majority of 562 out of a total of 699 votes cast, Roberta Metsola was re-elected as President of the European Parliament on July 16, 2024. She won the election in the first round by secret ballot. Metsola will continue to lead the European Parliament for the first two and a half years of the 10th legislative term.
The Maltese woman belongs to the European People’s Party (EPP) group. In addition to Metsola, Irene Montero from Spain was also a candidate for election. She belongs to the “The Left” group and received 61 votes in the ballot. 76 MPs submitted blank or invalid ballots.
After her re-election, Metsola addressed the plenary of the European Parliament: “Together we must stand up for a policy of hope, for our dream of Europe. I want people to regain faith and enthusiasm in our project. Faith that our common space will become safer, more just and fairer, with more equality, and that we are stronger and better together. Faith that our Europe is a Europe for everyone.”
Background: Roberta Metsola
Roberta Metsola was born in Malta in 1979. She studied law at the University of Malta and completed postgraduate studies at the College of Europe in Bruges. After completing her studies, she worked at the Permanent Representation of Malta to the EU. This was followed by a position as a legal advisor at the European External Action Service in Brussels. From 2013, she was a member of the European Parliament for the European People’s Party group and from November 2020 First Vice-President. Following the death of President David Sassoli, Roberta Metsola became Acting President of the European Parliament on January 11, 2022. On January 18, 2022, she was elected President for the second half of the 9th legislative period. After Simone Veil (1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999-2002), Roberta Metsola is the third President of the European Parliament.
Additional information
Roberta Metsola Re-Elected as President of the European Parliament
Roberta Metsola has been re-elected as President of the European Parliament, securing a clear majority with 562 votes out of 699 cast. Metsola will lead the European Parliament for the first two and a half years of the 10th legislative term. In her victory speech, she stressed her commitment to restoring faith and enthusiasm in the European project.
The election, conducted by secret ballot, saw Metsola, a member of the European People’s Party (EPP) group, emerge victorious in the first round. Her opponent, Irene Montero from the “The Left” group, received 61 votes. 76 MPs submitted blank or invalid ballots.
In her address to the plenary, Metsola outlined her vision for the future of the European Parliament: “Together we must stand up for a policy of hope, for our dream of Europe. I want people to regain faith and enthusiasm in our project. Faith that our common space will become safer, more just and fairer, with more equality, and that we are stronger and better together. Faith that our Europe is a Europe for everyone.”
Background: Roberta Metsola
Roberta Metsola was born in Malta in 1979. She studied law at the University of Malta and completed postgraduate studies at the College of Europe in Bruges. After completing her studies, she worked at the Permanent Representation of Malta to the EU. This was followed by a position as legal advisor at the European External Action Service in Brussels. From 2013, she was a member of the European Parliament for the European People’s Party group and from November 2020 First Vice-President. Following the death of President David Sassoli, Roberta Metsola became Acting President of the European Parliament on January 11, 2022. On January 18, 2022, she was elected President for the second half of the 9th legislative period. After Simone Veil (1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999-2002), Roberta Metsola is the third President of the European Parliament.
Metsola’s Priorities
Metsola has outlined a number of key priorities for her presidency, including:
- Strengthening the rule of law and democratic principles within the European Union.
- Addressing the challenges of climate change and ensuring a just transition to a greener economy.
- Promoting a more inclusive and equitable society, with a focus on tackling inequalities and promoting social justice.
- Enhancing the European Parliament’s role in shaping foreign policy and promoting international cooperation.
The Significance of Metsola’s Re-Election
Metsola’s re-election signifies a number of important developments:
- Continuity and stability: Having already served as President for the latter half of the 9th legislative period, Metsola’s re-election provides a sense of continuity for the European Parliament.
- Focus on young leadership: At age 44, Metsola is one of the youngest presidents to lead the European Parliament, signaling a focus on younger generations and their concerns.
- Commitment to European values: Metsola’s emphasis on the rule of law, democracy, and social justice underscores the importance of these values in the face of growing challenges from within and outside the EU.
Looking Ahead
Metsola’s presidency promises to be a significant period for the European Parliament. Her commitment to strengthening the institution, upholding European values, and addressing key challenges will shape the course of the EU’s political landscape. The next two and a half years will be crucial for the European Union, and Metsola’s leadership will play a vital role in guiding the bloc through these complex times.
Additional Information
For more information regarding Roberta Metsola and her presidency, you can visit the following websites:
