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Maltese MEP makes history as she is elected first vice-president of the European Parliament
A first for the Maltese islands, MEP Roberta Metsola has been elected as the first Vice-President of the European Parliament. This makes her the first Maltese to hold one of the top jobs within the institution. This also makes her the highest-ranking Maltese ever, within the European Parliament.
Like many of her predecessors, the powerful position may also be a prelude to Metsola having a shoo-in to be a European Parliament president in the next few years.
“It’s a tremendous honour to be elected as first Vice-President and to have done so with such strong support from members of the European Parliament.”
Metsola was nominated by the EPP for the post and all political groups agreed with the nomination, so she was elected by unanimous acclamation.
In the position, Metsola will support and replace the President of the European parliament, David Sassoli, in first instance, should he be absent or unavailable to discharge his duties, including chairing plenary sittings or representing Parliament at specific ceremonies.
There are 14 Vice-Presidents of the Parliament who sit in for the President in presiding over the plenary of the Parliament. The vice-presidents are elected following the election of the president, which takes place every two and a half years. Metsola’s election follows the resignation of Irish MP Mairead McGuinness, who was appointed as European Commissioner.
“This is a role that I look forward to and I am determined to use the new responsibilities I am afforded to continue to be a strong voice for European citizens, for Malta and for Gozo, and continue to work to build bridges across the political divide.
“We have to hit the ground running. With the economic and health recovery from the COVID pandemic, terror threats, the BREXIT negotiations, a new president in the United States of America, the situation in Belarus, continued migration challenges and a new rule of law framework all high on the agenda – I, together with President Sassoli and other MEPs, will continue to do our part to ensure that the European Parliament remains a strong link between citizens and the European decision making process,” said Metsola.
