Out of the jargon jungle. The role of the European Parliament President?

The role of the European Parliament President?

MEPs elected Roberta Metsola (EPP, MT) on January 2022 as President of the European Parliament until 2024.

Roberta Metsola won the election in the first voting round, where she received an absolute majority of 458 votes out of 690 cast in the remote secret vote, among three candidates.&nbsp;

President Metsola is leading the Parliament in the second half of the current legislative term, until a new Parliament is constituted following the 2024 European Elections.

Born in Malta in 1979,&nbsp; Roberta Metsola who has been an MEP since 2013, is the youngest EP President ever elected. She became First Vice-President in November 2020, and was Parliament’s acting President after President Sassoli passed away on 11 January 2022.

She is the third female President of the European Parliament, after Simone Veil (1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999- 2002).

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament 2022-2024

EP President Metsola inaugurates the Europa Experience in Luxembourg

EP President Roberta Metsola receives His Majesty King Abdulla II of Jordan

EP President Roberta Metsola meets with Polish PM,  Donald Tusk at the European Parliament in Strasbourg

EP President Roberta Metsola meets with Polish Prime Minister,  Donald Tusk

EP President Roberta Metsola, meets the Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mustafa

EP President meets with Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mustafa

President meets with Mark RUTTE, Secretary General of NATO

EP President meets with Mark RUTTE, Secretary General of NATO

EP President, Roberta METSOLA, meets with the Chancellor of Austria, Alexander SCHALLENBERG.

EP President, meets with Alexander SCHALLENBERG, Austrian Chancellor

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola meets with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as well as with Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.

Discussions are likely to focus on the EU-Egypt Strategic and Comprehensive partnership, EU macro-financial assistance, human rights and the geopolitical situation in the region, including the need to reinvigorate the Middle East Peace Process and the situation in Gaza, as well as recent developments in Syria.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President Official visit to Cairo (Egypt)

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola meets with the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Egypt Hanafy El Gebaly and the President of the Senate of Egypt Abdel-Wahab Abdel-Razeq.

The visit takes place against the background of strengthening relations between the European Union and Egypt, ongoing discussions on EU macro-financial assistance and the geopolitical situation in the Middle East and the neighbouring region.

The meetings provides an opportunity to discuss interparliamentary relations, including the organisation of the next EU-Egypt Inter-Parliamentary Meeting (IPM) in Cairo, the EU's macro-financial assistance to Egypt, currently under discussion in the European Parliament, migration flows and asylum.

EP President participates at European Council

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates in a series of events to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. She participates in the commemoration at American Military Cemetery of Hamm (Luxembourg), meets with Belgian and Luxemburgish authorities at Senningen Castle (Luxembourg) and joins the ceremony in Bastogne (Belgium).

The Battle of the Bulge, or Ardennes Offensive, was the final significant German offensive on the Western Front in World War II, occurring from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945. It was launched in the heavily forested Ardennes area, situated between Belgium and Luxembourg. The goal of the offensive was to disrupt the Allies' use of the Belgian port of Antwerp and to divide their lines, enabling the Germans to encircle and defeat the four Allied armies, ultimately forcing the western Allies to negotiate a peace treaty favorable to the Axis powers.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates in the ceremony for the commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge

High-Level Conference - Standing with the People of Belarus

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, receives the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia SANDU

EP President Roberta Metsola visits Malta, where she meets students from the Mediterranean College of Sport and St Albert the Great College and takes part in a discussion organised by the Malta Business Network.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, official visit to Malta

Parliament’s Conference of Presidents (President Metsola and political groups’ leaders) travel to Warsaw to meet with Poland’s government well as political group members of the Sejm to prepare the upcoming Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, which will run from January to June 2025. EP President Metsola also has a bilateral meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (Thursday).

Conference of Presidents in Poland

EP President Roberta Metsola meets Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola conducts an official visit to Paris, underscoring the strong ties between the European Union and France. During her visit, Metsola holds high-level discussions with Yaël Braun-Pivet, President of the Assemblée Nationale, and Michel Barnier, the French Prime Minister, focusing on European priorities and France’s role within the Union.

The Assemblée Nationale plays a crucial role in France’s legislative process, shaping national policies, while the Prime Minister coordinates national policy. The visit reflects the mutual commitment to strengthening cooperation on key issues affecting Europe’s future.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President Official visit to Paris (France)

The European Parliament holds an extraordinary plenary session to mark 1,000 days since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, underscoring its steadfast support for the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses MEPs, following a statement by EP President Roberta Metsola. Political group leaders also participate, highlighting the Parliament’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and democracy.

Since the invasion began in February 2022, the EU has strongly condemned Russian aggression, implemented robust sanctions, and provided extensive humanitarian, military, and financial aid. Parliament remains a key advocate for Ukraine’s EU membership and calls for the use of frozen Russian assets to compensate for the destruction caused by the war.  

The Parliament has adopted more than 40 resolutions since 2021, emphasizing its ongoing support for Ukraine, including temporary trade liberalization, sanctions enforcement, and preparations for EU accession talks. This extraordinary session reinforces the EU’s solidarity with Ukraine and its dedication to achieving a just and lasting peace.

Extraordinary Plenary Sitting - 1000 days of Russia´s invasion of Ukraine

EU Leaders meet in Budapest for an informal European Council meeting. Competitiveness is on top of the agenda and is discussed in depth during an informal meeting of Heads of State or Government on 8 November 2024, which is expected to result in a ‘Budapest Declaration’.

Informal European Council in Budapest

80th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz .

80th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz

Euroscola

World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, Switzerland

Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister meets with Polish MEPs

EP Plenary session - Presentation of the programme of activities of the Polish Presidency

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister

EP Plenary session - Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 19 December 2024

Strasbourg's Plenary session through the lens . Week 4

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Rosen ZHELYAZKOV, Bulgarian Prime Minister

Conference of  Presidents of Outermost regions

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Ben Issa OUSSENI, President of the Departmental Council of Mayotte

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Adolfo URSO, Italy Minister of Business and Made in Italy

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Badr Ahmed Mohamed ABDELATTY, Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs

EP Plenary session - The need to enforce the Digital Services Act to protect democracy on social media platforms against foreign interference and biased algorithms

EP Plenary session - Resumption of session and order of business

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates in the FEDIL 2025 New Year Reception (Luxembourg)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Mohammad MUSTAFA, Palestinian Prime Minister

New Year reception at the Belgian Royal Palace for European Authorities

Roberta METSOLA, EP President President meets with Mark RUTTE, NATO Secretary General

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, meets with Alexander SCHALLENBERG, Austrian Chancellor

Roberta METSOLA, EP President travels to Rome for an official visit and meets with Sergio MATTARELLA, President of Italy.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Rome: meeting with Sergio MATTARELLA, President of Italy and meeting with secondary schools students

Roberta METSOLA, EP President travels to Rome for an official visit and meets with Roberto FICO, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Maria Elisabetta ALBERTI CASELLATI, President of the Italian Senate.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President official visit to Rome: meetings with Roberto FICO, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Maria Elisabetta ALBERTI CASELLATI, President of the Italian Senate

As the Conference on the Future of Europe approaches its conclusion, MEPs assess its Plenary’s recommendations and the overall process in a debate. They stress that the process to change the EU’s founding documents should be activated in order to endow the EU with the competences to act on the proposed new policy areas. Extracts from the debate (03/05) and from the vote.

The follow up of the Conference on the Future of Europe: extracts from the debate (03/05) and from the vote

The Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize aims at distinguishing outstanding journalism revolving around the principles and values of the European Union (EU). It should be awarded to in-depth journalistic items on topics of interest linked to the values enshrined in the European Charter of Human Rights undertaken by professional journalists or teams of journalists of any nationality. Matthew Caruana Galizia expresses about the prize named after his mother, a Maltese anti-corruption investigative journalist and blogger who was killed in a car bomb attack and calls EU to fight more actively against corruption. On 3rd May 2022, Roberta METSOLA, EP President, opened the plenary with a statement about World Press Freedom Day.

World Press Freedom Day: statement by Matthew CARUANA GALIZIA on the launch of the 2022 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism

The Radio studios of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, have been named in the memory of Antonio Megalizzi and Bartek Orent-Niedzielski, journalists murdered in Strasbourg during a terrorist attack (11/12/18). Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Mario DRAGHI, President of the Italian Council, pay a tribute to them by visiting the studio.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Mario DRAGHI, Italian Prime Minister visit the EP Radio studio named in the memory of Antonio Megalizzi and Bartek Orent-Niedzielski, journalists murdered in Strasbourg during a terrorist attack

Roberta METSOLA, EP President welcomes Mario DRAGHI, Prime Minister of Italy, to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, ahead of a debate on the future of Europe in the plenary.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Mario DRAGHI, Prime Minister of Italy: arrival, welcome and roundtable

This clip highlights the "This is Europe" debate with Mario DRAGHI, former Italian Prime Minister (03/05/2022)

Clip "This is Europe" with Mario DRAGHI, Italian Prime Minister

During the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg (02-05 May 2022), MEPs debate the state of the EU with Italian Prime Minister Draghi, and his vision for its future.

"This is Europe" - Debate with Mario DRAGHI, Prime Minister of Italy: extracts from the debate

During the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg (02-05 May 2022), MEPs debate the state of the EU with Italian Prime Minister, Mario DRAGHI, and his vision for its future. Introductory statement by Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament and opening address by Mario DRAGHI, Italian Prime Minister. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

"This is Europe" - Debate with Mario DRAGHI, Italian Prime Minister: Introductory statement by Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament Opening address by Mario DRAGHI, Italian Prime Minister

To mark Press Freedom Day on Tuesday 3 May, MEPs discuss with the European Commission how to address the threats faced by journalists and enhance media freedom. Roberta METSOLA, EP President, opens the plenary paying a tribute to Daphne Caruana Galizia. Over the last few years, Parliament has warned about attempts both in the EU and beyond to undermine media pluralism. MEPs have denounced the attacks on journalists, particularly from politicians, and called on the Commission to table legislation against abusive lawsuits.

World Press Freedom Day: extracts from the debate

To mark Press Freedom Day on Tuesday 3 May, MEPs discuss with the European Commission how to address the threats faced by journalists and enhance media freedom. Over the last few years, Parliament has warned about attempts both in the EU and beyond to undermine media pluralism. MEPs have denounced the attacks on journalists, particularly from politicians, and called on the Commission to table legislation against abusive lawsuits. Introductory remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President. This transcript is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Threats to the safety of journalists and media freedom in Europe, on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day: Introductory remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Opening remars by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, ahead of the plenary session in Strasbourg (02-05 May 2022). Tribute to Lord Henri PLUMB, former EP President (1987-1989) and minute of silence.

Resumption of session and order of business: statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, in memory of Lord Henri PLUMB, former EP President

Formal opening of the temporary exhibition “When Walls Talk”, at the House of European History by Roberta METSOLA, EP President. From the propaganda of the World Wars and the Cold War to the explosion of cultural exchange, tourism and the emergence of multi-voiced social movements after the Second World War, complex layers of European division and unity are revealed through a selection of posters from the collection of the House of European History.

Formal opening of the temporary exhibition “When Walls Talk”, at the House of European History - opening address by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Wojciech Wiewiórowski is the European Data Protection Supervisor. He was appointed by a joint decision of the European Parliament and the Council on 5 December 2019 for a term of five years.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Wojciech WIEWIÓROWSKI , European Data Protection Supervisor: arrival and roundtable

Roberta METSOLA, EP President welcomes Jens STOLTENBERG, NATO Secretary General, to the European Parliament, ahead of a debate held at the Conference of Presidents, along with politcal groups' leaders.

EP Conference of Presidents: meeting with Jens STOLTENBERG, NATO Secretary General

Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Jens STOLTENBERG, NATO Secretary General, hold a press point ahead of the Conference of Presidents in the European Parliament.

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Jens STOLTENBERG, Secretary General of NATO

Roberta METSOLA, EP President welcomes Jens STOLTENBERG, Secretary General of NATO to the European Parliament, ahead of a debate with political groups' leaders at the Conference of Presidents.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Jens STOLTENBERG, Secretary General of NATO: arrival and handshake, cutaways of the joint press point

The 14th EuroLat plenary session took place in Buenos Aires (Argentina) from 11-14 April 2022. On 14 June, the plenary session opened with speeches by President Roberta Metsola and Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, presenting their speeches via video messages.

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