David Sassoli is the new president of the European Parliament. The official candidate of the Democratic Socialists was elected in the second ballot with 345 votes out of 667 cast. His election was also announced in the Chamber of Deputies, by the honorable Emanuele Fiano, and was welcomed with a long applause from the Chamber.
In the first vote, MEPs failed to reach the necessary majority, equal to 50% of the votes. Sassoli stopped at 325 votes, 7 less than the 332 required.
“All of you will understand my emotion at this moment in assuming the presidency of the EU Parliament. I thank President Tajani for the work he has done, for his great commitment and his dedication to this institution ”, said the new president, speaking immediately after the announcement of his election.
Sassoli, a sixty-three-year-old journalist, takes the place that was occupied by Antonio Tajani for two years. The presidency of the European Parliament therefore remains in Italy.
The MEP from the Democratic Party beat the competition from the German Ska Keller, candidate of the Greens, of the Czech Jan Zahradil (Ecr group of European Conservatives and Reformists) and the Spanish one Sir Rego for the group of the united left.
The popular Europeans have not nominated anyone after obtaining the presidency of the EU Commission, with the German Ursula Von der Leyen. During the summit of 2 July, the appointment of Christine Lagarde to the presidency of the European Central Bank was also proposed. Both posts will have to be ratified by the new EU Parliament.
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"I am running because I believe that Europe will only be stronger with a European Parliament able to play a more important role – said Sassoli in his statement prior to the vote – We must all be, however we think, committed to building the house of European democracy and this parliament must be the house of European democracy”. Sassoli, MEP for 10 years, then quoted one of the fathers of the Union, the French Jean Monnet, saying: "Nothing is possible without men, nothing lasts without institutions".
Among the first to congratulate the new president is the secretary of the Democratic Party, Nicola Zingaretti.
