Divided EU body to elect new chief

The winner will be in charge of the European Parliament at the critical time of Brexit

The European Parliament faces a stormy election for a new president tomorrow after a long-standing coalition of pro-European Union (EU) parties collapsed just as the crisis-hit bloc confronts a wave of Euro-sceptic populism.

While there are at least seven contenders for the job, the main candidates are two Italians and a Belgian seeking to replace Martin Schulz. The German socialist is stepping down as head of the EU’s only elected body to return to politics in his homeland.

The secret ballot by 751 MEPs at the parliament in the French city of Strasbourg is most likely to be won by Italian politician Antonio Tajani, a former spokesman for Italy’s scandal-plagued expremier Silvio Berlusconi.

Tajani, 63, who served as European commissioner for industry from 2010 to 2014, is the candidate of the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), the largest group in the assembly.

Socialist Gianni Pittella of Italy also has a shot at the top job. But liberal Guy Verhofstadt of Belgium, parliament’s Brexit negotiator, saw his chances dip after a failed merger last week with Italy’s populist Five Star movement.

The winner will be in charge of the European Parliament at the critical time when it has final approval on any deal for Britain’s departure from the EU, expected in 2019.

In a febrile political climate, the result could also eventually prompt a reshuffle of other top EU jobs, an instability the 28-nation bloc can do without as it tackles crises ranging from Brexit to migration.

Changing landscape

Euro-sceptic groups led by Britain’s UK Independence Party and France’s National Front made stunning gains in the last European Parliament elections in May 2014, changing the EU’s political landscape.

The vote could go on for up to four rounds as an absolute majority in the Parliament is needed to win the presidency.