Roberta Metsola has been re-elected as the president of the European Parliament for the next two and a half years. The 45-year-old Christian Democrat from Malta secured a comfortable victory with 562 out of 623 votes in a vote held on Tuesday morning. Metsola promised to foster an atmosphere of debate and respect, emphasizing the importance of a strong Parliament within a strong Union. Her leadership skills have been praised, as she has shown herself to be a pragmatic leader capable of working with forces across the political spectrum.
Being first elected in January 2022, Metsola has taken an active approach to her role as president, building personal ties with heads of government across Europe. She has also worked to clarify the often misunderstood role of the Parliament to citizens. Metsola’s leadership faced a challenging test in December with the Qatargate scandal, but she responded by implementing an updated code of conduct to increase transparency and combat corruption. She has called for a firm defense of the rule of law, continued support for Ukraine, sustainable peace in the Middle East, simplification of bureaucracy, and stronger protection of social rights.
During her presidency, Metsola visited Kyiv in early 2022 and expressed support for the war-torn nation’s ambitions to join the EU. She emphasized the need for the Parliament to lead and adapt to change, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the future. Metsola urged lawmakers to be vigilant and critical in their daily work, while also promoting accountability and integrity within the Parliament. She remains committed to empowering the Parliament with a right of legislative initiative, currently held by the European Commission.
Metsola’s presidency marks a breakthrough moment for Malta, as it is the smallest country in the EU and had never seen one of its citizens in such a high position. Her re-election as president demonstrates her rising profile as a prominent figure within the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP). Metsola’s leadership style has been characterized by her ability to build bridges across the political divide while also standing up for the Parliament’s integrity. As she begins her next term as president, Metsola is poised to continue her efforts to strengthen the Parliament and ensure it remains a key institution within the European Union.
