Roberta Metsola is set to cruise through to a second term unchallenged as president of the European Parliament, drawing consensus from across political divides. She is a Conservative Christian-democrat belonging to the European People’s Party, credited with steering the parliament through tumultuous times. Metsola’s performance over the past two years has impressed lawmakers, overcoming initial concerns about her anti-abortion stance. She has made parliament more visible and stronger and is seen as a great ambassador for the institution.
Despite facing a challenger candidate from the Left, Metsola is expected to comfortably secure an absolute majority of ballots cast. Lawmakers have praised her attention to detail and leadership, with some even suggesting she would be a more palatable candidate for the presidency of the EU’s executive. Metsola has become the youngest person to preside over the European Parliament and the first Maltese and woman to hold the position in two decades. Her time in office has been marked by historic milestones, including being the first EU leader to visit Kyiv after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Metsola has been at the forefront of defending mainstream political forces against the surge of the far right, sanctioning radical lawmakers prone to disrupting parliamentary sessions. She has urged voters to support pro-European parties in the center-ground to fend off rising populist forces. Lawmakers have praised her for rejecting far-right populists while some have criticized Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for her overtures to the hard-right grouping of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Metsola’s conduct in rejecting far-right populists has been seen as more clear-cut.
Although Metsola has a track record of voting against abortion rights, she has vowed to respect the majority opinion on abortion within the European Parliament. Her commitment to putting her personal stance aside and focusing on her role as president has reassured lawmakers who have fought for abortion rights. Metsola’s tenure has been marked by efforts to future-proof the institution against corruption with reforms aimed at increasing transparency and ethics rules. Lawmakers hope to see further action from her to ensure transparency, accountability, and to prevent undue influence.
In the face of a challenging and fractious political landscape, Metsola has managed to bring consensus and unity to the European Parliament. Her strong leadership, attention to detail, and commitment to upholding the rule of law have earned her praise from lawmakers across different political spectrums. As she prepares for a second term as president, Metsola continues to advocate for equal rights and encourage women and girls to break the glass ceiling in politics. Despite ideological differences, Metsola’s ability to lead with integrity and inclusivity has solidified her position as a respected leader within the European Parliament.
