This news item shows extracts from the speech of Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), candidate for the President of the European Parliament, and Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES), candidate for the President of the European Parliament, during their presentation in the hemicycle.

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

election of the President of the European Parliament (T)

functioning of the EP (T)

MONTERO, Irene (The Left, ES)

Election of the President of the European Parliament: extracts of the presentations by the candidates for election to the office of the President

External shot of the European Parliament in Strasbourg

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Pina PICIERNO (S&amp;D, IT), Vice-President of the European Parliament, Colleagues, now we will proceed to the election of the President of the European Parliament. In line with the provisions set out in our rules of procedure, I received the following candidacies for the role of President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola and Irene Montero. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), candidate for President of Parliament, It is hard to put into words just what it means for a woman who grew up on an island in our Mediterranean Sea, to stand before you here today. To me, Europe was worth fighting for. It was never perfect, but we looked to the European Parliament, to this Strasbourg hemicycle, as a symbol of standards of opportunity, of reconciliation. It was our guarantee of the rule of law, of equality, of democracy, of liberty, of prosperity.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), candidate for President of Parliament, I want to help build it better. I want to help bridge the remaining gaps between what people expect from Europe and what we can deliver. And so I am here to ask for your trust and your vote to allow us to continue together for the next two and a half years and prove to every girl and boy watching today that in our Europe, even these unlikely journeys are indeed possible.

Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), candidate for President of Parliament, People will look to us for direction, whether it is standing up for our values and the rule of law, remaining the strong advocate that Ukraine needs, amplifying the voice of humanity in the Middle East, as we search for a sustainable peace, or the necessity we have to stick to our commitments and keep our union as a global leader of rights, of equality, of security, of climate, of opportunity, of competitive, free but fair markets with a strong social pillar that allows everyone to be whoever they wish to be. And when no one is left behind.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, candidate for the election to the office of the President, As President, you know that I am able to both stand up for Parliament, our Parliament and build bridges. I am proud to stand here today, and if you choose to lend me your trust, I will not let you down. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Irene MONTERO, candidate for President of Parliament, Dear colleagues, the European Left is presenting this candidacy to defend a Europe of peace which is calling for an end to the genocide against Palestinian people. A feminist, green, anti-racist, anti-fascist Europe with rights for workers and social justice for the peoples of Europe.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Irene MONTERO, candidate for President of Parliament, The priority for Europe must be to put an end to the destruction of social rights and support the trade union and workers rights, which allow workers to have greater rights. It will be impossible for Europe to develop green policies with social justice, militarisation of Europe and, warmongering will increase the energy problem and will avoid protection of animal welfare.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Irene MONTERO, candidate for President of Parliament, Peace is the most important issue for Europe. I believe that we have to let people know that victory for Ukraine and for Europe in the face of the criminal Putin and the strength is in peace, but we are being led into a war where people in Ukraine are losing, people in Europe are losing.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Irene MONTERO, candidate for President of Parliament, We have to strengthen the moral ethical principles and the strength of the law in the face of the strongest. We need to build a Europe based on rights and a better world. And for that we would call for your confidence, your trust, and your vote. Thank you.We have to strengthen the moral ethical principles and the, the strength of the law in the face of the strongest. We need to build a Europe based on rights and a better world. And for that we would call for your confidence, your trust, and your vote. Thank you madam.