For the next 2.5 years, Roberta Metsola from the European People's Party will lead the European Parliament, marking her second term in this role. Malta, her home country, is known for having some of the strictest abortion laws in Europe.
"I am a woman from a small island in the middle of the sea in Southern Europe. I know what it means to be perceived as weaker. I know what it means to be pigeonholed," Metsola said in her speech before the vote on her candidacy.
Educated as a lawyer, she also graduated from the prestigious European college in Bruges. Following Malta's accession to the EU in 2004, Metsola worked at the country's permanent representation to the EU before joining Catherine Ashton's team of advisers, the former EU chief diplomat.
Privately, Metsola is married to a Finn, with whom she raises four children, all boys.
"I will continue to stand for a strong European Parliament in a strong Europe," said the President of the European Parliament after her re-election was confirmed.
Her first term as President of the European Parliament was overshadowed by corruption scandals. She was widely criticized for consistently abstaining from voting or voting against European Parliament resolutions on abortion or reproductive health. Criticism also arose from her failure to officially condemn Poland's tightening of abortion laws.
In the vote for the President of the European Parliament, 699 MEPs participated, with 562 supporting Metsola, while Irene Montero from the Left received 62 votes; 76 votes were invalid, marking the highest percentage of invalid votes in the history of elections for this position.
Source: PAP/x.com/@EP_President/@europarlAV/@Europarl_EN
(mp)
