McGuinness bids to hold Euro parliament VP role

The Louth MEP Mairead McGuinness faced disappointment when she failed to clinch the nomination to become the European People’s Party (EPP) candidate for European Parliament president last week

The Ardee born politician was seen as strong hopeful in the bid for a nomination, but she ultimately lost out to Italian MEP and former European commissioner Antonio Tajani, who was elected as the group’s nominee to replace current president Martin Schulz.

Now, Mairead McGuinness faces the tough challenge of retaining her Vice Presidential seat, after she was selected as EPP Group candidate for Vice-President of the European Parliament.

‘It is very important that Ireland has strong visibility in the European Parliament - Ireland needs a Vice-President of the European Parliament, she said.

She will now seek re-election by parliamentary vote on January 17th.

‘ The next two and half years are crucial for Europe. I am hoping to be a Vice President of Parliament as we face into the challenges ahead, including Brexit, at a time of global political uncertainty.

Following my selection by the Group of the European People’s Party tonight, there is more campaigning ahead before January 17th, when the entire Parliament will vote to elect its new President and Vice-Presidents,’ said McGuin- ness, speaking from Strasbourg after the vote.

‘We have 11 MEPs from Ireland and I believe it is very important that we have strong visibility from Ireland and that is why I contest these elections. That is why I take on these challenges and I work hard.

‘I work with people in this house in a fair and efficient manner, to negotiate, to achieve compromises that support our objectives and to deliver results,’ said Mairead.