Roberta Metsola is one step closer to becoming the European Parliament President for the second consecutive term, after the Maltese MEP was confirmed as the EPP’s nominee for the highly prestigious political role.

The nomination – which was confirmed after a vote of approval by EPP MEPs in a closed meeting moments ago after she received 100% of the votes cast – comes just over a week after the PN MEP rewrote the election history books by receiving a record amount of votes by the Maltese and Gozitan people: 87,473.

“Running to be your candidate for re-election as President of the European Parliament is a responsibility that I take seriously; that I understand is a decision that weighs heavily on all of us,” Metsola told the EPP’s 188 MEPs earlier today. “I am proud to be a politician. I am proud to be an unashamedly pro-European, MEP. I am incredibly proud to represent you as President. For a girl who grew up on an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, it is the privilege of a lifetime.”

“I take this step with a deep sense of purpose, with a strong sense of pride to represent the people of Malta and Gozo.I will not let you down.” 

The next step for Metsola now is for the plenary of the European Parliament to vote on who should serve as President for the next two and a half years.

If she is re-elected, Metsola would become the first woman (and only the second person) to ever lead the only directly-elected European institution for consecutive terms.

Congratulations Roberta Metsola!