Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola has been elected, with 458 out of 690 votes, as the next president of the European Parliament.
"I want people to recapture a sense of beliefe and enthusiasm for our [European] project," she says, accepting the position.
"I want people to recapture a sense of beliefe and enthusiasm for our [European] project," she says, accepting the position.
"In the next years people across Europe will look to our institution for leadership & direction, while others will continue to test the limits of our democratic values and European principles. We must fight back against the anti-EU narrative that takes hold so easily and quickly"
"Disinformation and misinformation further amplified during the pandemic fuels easy cynicism and cheap solutions of nationalism, authoritarianism, protectionism, isolationism," says Metsola.
"These are a false illusion, offering no solutions."
"These are a false illusion, offering no solutions."
Metsola addresses her relative youth (43) compared to most holders of this position.
"My generation sees no old and new Europe. We are the 1st of the Erasmus generation. The last of the Walensa and Havel generation..."
"My generation sees no old and new Europe. We are the 1st of the Erasmus generation. The last of the Walensa and Havel generation..."
"...we understand that equality of opportunity is different from making everyone the same. We celebrate differences in Europe because we know that that is what makes us stronger, unique, European."
"This house matters. To our judges under attack, to our healthcare frontliners under pressure, to every woman in our union still fighting for her rights...to our LGBTI communities, to those still discriminated against because of their religion, skin colour or gender identity"
"The world around us is less friendly than it was a generation ago," says Metsola.
"For the EU to remain credible and exert its influence globally, we have to remain principled. This is our true strength. For autocrats and despots, the EU is a threat simply by existing."
"For the EU to remain credible and exert its influence globally, we have to remain principled. This is our true strength. For autocrats and despots, the EU is a threat simply by existing."
In conclusion, a message for Europe's Orbans. "Let me be clear: to those who seek to destroy Europe, know that this house stands against you"
"To those who attempt to undermine democracy, rule of law, free speech & fundamental rights...know that this house will never accept it"
"To those who attempt to undermine democracy, rule of law, free speech & fundamental rights...know that this house will never accept it"
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