Brussels (Brussels Morning) – The inaugural meeting of the new European Parliament is planned for Tuesday, 16 July 2024, with the election of the President and Vice-Presidents of the EU’s legislative body on the schedule.
How will Roberta Metsola’s re-election as President unfold?
Roberta Metsola, a Maltese politician and representative of the European People’s Party (EPP), is a contender for another term as the President of the EU Parliament. Metsola has maintained this office since January 2022.
How is the President of the EU Parliament elected?
According to the current regulations, the President of the EP is elected for two and a half years, by secret voting procedure and needs to receive an absolute majority of ballots (50 per cent plus one vote). If the candidate/nominees do not receive sufficient votes in the first round, two more rounds of votes may be maintained. If there is no victor after the third round, the two nominees with the most votes enter the fourth match in which the winner is determined by a simple majority.
Roberta Metsola’s candidacy for the President of the EU Parliament was officially revealed last month, following a discussion of the leaders of the European People’s Party, which obtained the most votes in the election for the European Parliament, on 6-9 June.
What challenges does Metsola foresee for her new mandate?
Preaching the plenary session of the EP Committee on Economic and Social Affairs on 10 July, Metsola stated that it would not be an uncomplicated mandate. According to Metsola, a pro-European prevalence can survive, but we require collective responses on security, development and housing policy. “If we fail to react to these challenges, citizens will be tempted to turn to extremists”, she said.
What is the procedure for electing EU Parliament Vice-Presidents?
Following the election of the President of the EU Parliament, 14 Vice-Presidents are elected by the EP. Candidates are also determined by a secret ballot procedure, which is designed for 16 July. All contenders are on a single ballot. Each MEP of the EP can vote for a maximum of 14 contenders for the Vice-Presidents.
The candidates who gain an absolute majority of votes in the first contest, a maximum of 14 of them, are unleashed “elected” by the order of the votes obtained. If there are vacant seats after the first round, a second match shall be held, followed by a third round for which a comparable majority is sufficient. If there are only 14 candidates, they will be selected by acclamation, with voting selecting only their order.
What roles do quaestors play in the EU Parliament?
On the next day, 17 July, the EU Parliament will determine the so-called “quaestors”. Five quaestors are selected, in a similar way as Vice-Presidents. Quaestors are liable for administrative and financial issues, which directly affect members of the EU Parliament. Members of the EP will also choose next week on the number and arrangement of Committees and Sub-committees. The schedule of the opening session will include a talk on the main conclusions of the European Council session, adopted on 27 June, including on Ukraine.
