14 vice presidents for the EU Parliament

On Tuesday, the European Parliament will elect the conservative Maltese Roberta Metsola as its new president in Strasbourg. The 43-year-old would be only the third woman in this office – and at the same time the youngest so far. She succeeds the Italian Social Democrat David Sassoli, who died unexpectedly last Tuesday.

The changing of the guard goes back to an agreement reached by the EPP, S&D, and Renew in 2019. After the European elections, the three largest groups had agreed to change the president halfway through the legislative term. This was to preserve the balance of power in the EU institutions. However, with Metsola’s election, the EPP will lead two of the three major institutions (European Parliament, Commission, and Council).

Sign up now and continue reading immediately