Roberta Metsola to run for President of the EU Parliament

Roberta Metsola will be running for the post of President of the European Parliament.

MEPs are vying over the Parliament's Presidency as David Sassoli's term soon comes to an end. Reports have read that Sassoli may seek a second term, but a number of MEPs have already thrown their hats into the ring.

Metsola, who comes from the EU Parliament's largest political group, the European People's Party (EPP), is now the latest to announce her intentions. First, the EPP will need to select its candidate, which is what Metsola will submit her name for. The EPP is expected to vote in an internal election on 24 November to select their single candidate for the post. Other parties could also have their own candidates vying for the position.

International news organisation Politico states that Austrian MEP Othmar Karas became the first EPP member to put his name forward, while other names are also being floated, meaning that Metsola will have competition within the EPP.

"This is an internal process but I can confirm that I will be a candidate to be the EPP Group's nominee for president of the European Parliament. Over the next days, I will continue speaking to my colleagues about how they see the role of the Parliament in the second half of the legislature and how they want our institution to evolve," Metsola told The Malta Independent.

Metsola said: "I want to help get people in our member states to believe in Europe, and the Parliament can support MEPs as we bring European decision-making closer to people in different villages, towns and cities across Europe."

"The challenges Europe is facing, but also the opportunities, require the Parliament to have a strong, clear voice and I am ready to do my part as we work together to re-capture the enthusiasm for our project."

Metsola was elected to the European Parliament in 2013 and has been there ever since. She became the first vicepresident of the European Parliament to come from Malta in November 2020.

The EU Parliament president is elected for a renewable term of two-and-a-half years.