Roberta Metsola Elected as President of the EP on her Birthday

Defender of people with traditional sexual orientation, but an opponent of abortion. An unwavering fighter for the rule of law in her native Malta, but a much softer stance on similar issues in other EU countries. Supporter of the resettlement of migrants in the EU Community and at the same time author of a parliamentary report, which never succeeded in resolving the refugee crisis in Europe.

All of these conflicting assessments apply to Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola, who was elected President of the European Parliament today during a plenary session in Strasbourg. This happened on her 43rd birthday.

Roberta Metsola was convincingly elected with 458 votes in favor in the first round. Her rivals were also women - Swedish "green" MP Alice Bah Kuhnke and Spaniard Sira Rego from the radical left. Polish conservative Kosma Zlotowski withdrew from the race this morning.

EP President David Sassoli has Passed Away

Metsola inherited David Sassoli, who died just a week ago. The previous President of the EP was ill for a long time and passed away due to complications in the immune system. However, his death is not a reason to change the president. As early as the election of Sassoli in 2019, it was agreed that the Italian Socialist would hold office for only one term, after which he would be succeeded by a representative of the European People's Party (EPP) - the first political force in Parliament. And the election was scheduled for the current session - the first for the new 2022.

In the first statement since her election, Metsola said Europe had a chance to become the first carbon-free continent and that the EU could take the lead.

"The digital transition is creating new opportunities and we need to...