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Polish ex-PM Ewa Kopacz elected vice-president of European Parliament

17.07.2024 11:40
Former Prime Minister of Poland received 572 out of 665 valid votes cast by MEPs on Tuesday in Strasbourg.
Audio
Strasbourg, France, 16th July 2024. Members of the European Parliament (from left): Magdalena Adamowicz, Andrzej Halicki, Michał Szczerba, Ewa Kopacz, Mirosława Nykiel, and Dariusz Joński during a press briefing at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where the first plenary session after the June elections took place.
Strasbourg, France, 16th July 2024. Members of the European Parliament (from left): Magdalena Adamowicz, Andrzej Halicki, Michał Szczerba, Ewa Kopacz, Mirosława Nykiel, and Dariusz Joński during a press briefing at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where the first plenary session after the June elections took place. (amb) PAP/Leszek Szymański

Kopacz secured her position in the first round of voting for one of the 14 Vice-President positions in the European Parliament. Nominated by the European People's Party (EPP), she was one of three candidates for the role, which she also held in the previous parliamentary term.

Alongside Kopacz, the other Vice-Presidents elected were Sabine Verheyen of Germany, who received 604 votes securing the position of First Vice-President, and Esteban Gonzalez Pons of Spain, who secured third place with 478 votes, just after Kopacz.

Radio Poland's Marcin Matuszewski has the details in his audio report - available in our player (red button above and on the left).


Following her nomination, Ewa Kopacz expressed satisfaction at the prospect of continuing her work, particularly focusing on children's issues.

Opinions on Kopacz's previous term vary, though Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, praised her strong support among MEPs, reflecting their trust in her.

"I congratulate Ewa Kopacz on receiving such strong support from those who witnessed her work in the previous term as Vice-President of the EP. The voting result is very robust, demonstrating significant confidence in continuing to work with her, which I will pursue. I have a good and friendly relationship with Ewa Kopacz," Metsola affirmed.

Seventeen MEPs, including three from the far-right like Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik of the Confederation, applied for candidacy. The final vote will determine whether right-wing candidates may face exclusion from roles in the European Parliament under a parliamentary majority's "cordon sanitaire." Both conservative and far-right candidates fell short of the threshold in the initial round, with Zajączkowska-Hernik receiving just over 100 votes.

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Source: PAP/x.com/@EPPGroup/@ED_Lombardia