Antonio Tajani elected as European Parliament’s new president
Antonio Tajani of the European People's Party (EPP) has been elected as the European Parliament’s new president.
The 63-year-old Italian defeated another Italian, S&D socialist Gianni Pitella, on Tuesday and is set to replace Germany's Martin Schulz.
In the past, Tajani served as the spokesman for former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and as a European commissioner.
The battle among the two Italians was won by Tajani on a vote of 351-282 in the decisive final round, which only the top two candidates managed to enter.
Before voting began, the EEP, the largest group in the block’s legislature, formed a coalition with the ALDE liberals, that gave Tajani the required lead over Pittella.
“This was as democratic process and as I said today, I will be the president of all, I will respect all members of parliament and all groups,” said Tajani.
"We must devote our attention to all those who are in tough living conditions," he added while giving a short acceptance speech, during which he also dedicated his victory to the victims of a deadly August earthquake in central Italy and all those injured by terrorism.
In a statement issued to congratulate Tajani, Pittella noted that it had been some time since the European Parliament had elected a president "in a fully transparent and open competition without any pre-arranged deals."
"Today, the political landscape in the European Parliament is dramatically changed with the birth of a new conservative block. We will constructively oppose this block," added Pittella.
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