Strasbourg, France: Italian centre-right politician Antonio Tajani was elected the new president of the European Parliament on Tuesday after a final round of voting, officials said.

Tajani, an ally of former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi, got 351 votes while his socialist rival Gianni Pittella got 282, outgoing leader Martin Schulz said.

"I congratulate you warmly. I wish you good luck as you carry out your mandate," Schulz said as he shook hands with Tajani.

European Council leader Donald Tusk hailed the importance of a position at the head of the EU´s only elected body at a time of crises in the bloc.

"I congratulate Antonio Tajani as next EP (European Parliament) president and look forward to cooperating. A united, strong EU needs a constructive, effective EP," Tusk said.

Italy´s Tajani elected European Parliament president was posted in World of TheNews International - https://www.thenews.com.pk on January 18, 2017 and was last updated on January 18, 2017. This news story is related to Latest/179832-Italys-Tajani-elected-European-Parliament-president/ - breaking news, latest news, pakistan ne. Permanent link to the news story "Italy´s Tajani elected European Parliament president" is https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/179832-Italys-Tajani-elected-European-Parliament-president. </s> Antonio Tajani, of the EPP Christian Democrat group, has been elected president of the European Parliament.

Mr Tajani defeated his socialist opponent in a day-long series of polls.

Before the first round of voting, the EPP, the largest group in the legislature, and the ALDE liberals, the fourth-largest, announced a coalition that gave Mr Tajani a big early lead over S&D socialist Gianni Pittella.

Antonio Tajani acknowledges applauses after being elected European Parliament President at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017.

He maintained the lead through four rounds of voting.

The battle among the two Italians was won by Mr Tajani on a vote of 351-282.

Mr Tajani's victory gives the Christian Democrats all the biggest jobs in the EU, with Donald Tusk as Council president and Jean-Claude Juncker as Commission chief.

Antonio Tajani acknowledges after being elected European Parliament President at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. </s> BRUSSELS — Antonio Tajani was elected president of the European Parliament on Tuesday, and he won’t have much time to settle in.

Mr. Tajani, an Italian who beat out his countryman Gianni Pittella in the fourth round of voting, takes over as the European Union confronts an array of pressing issues.

The Parliament is the only directly elected body among the bewildering list representing the European Union, but it often struggles for relevance — a fact underscored when Mr. Tajani’s ascendance on Tuesday was overshadowed by a speech by Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain on plans for her country to leave the bloc, and an address by Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader, in Davos, Switzerland.

Who is Antonio Tajani?

Mr. Tajani, 63, from the European People’s Party — the Parliament’s largest political group, with 217 members from 27 nations — was the favorite for the post. </s> An Italian lawmaker and ally of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was elected president of the European Parliament late Tuesday in Strasbourg.

Antonio Tajani, 63 years old, is a member of the center-right European People’s Party, which is the largest faction in the parliament and whose members run all the major European Union institutions. He defeated Gianni Pitella, also an Italian lawmaker, who heads the second-largest... </s> Italian conservative Antonio Tajani has been elected the new president of the European Parliament.

Mr Tajani, 63, is a former spokesman for Italy's Silvio Berlusconi and an ex-European commissioner.

He defeated another Italian, Gianni Pitella, and will take over from Germany's Martin Schulz.

The European Parliament has the power to block or amend EU laws, and will have the final say on whether to approve a Brexit deal with the UK.

The contest ran to the maximum four rounds.

Mr Tajani's European People's Party group benefited from a coalition with the parliament's liberals, who hope to curb the influence of anti-EU populists.

The election of Mr Tajani puts the centre-right in charge of the three main EU institutions - the European Commission, Council and Parliament. </s> The new European Parliament has convened to elect a new president to replace incumbent Antonio Tajani after a pan-European vote in May.

The list of the candidates includes Ska Keller (the European Free Alliance, Germany), Sira Rego (the European United Left/Nordic Green Left, Spain), David-Maria Sassoli (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Italy), and Jan Zahradil (Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe, the Czech Republic).

Follow Sputnik's Live Feed to Find Out More! </s> Antonio Tajani, of the European People’s Party (EPP) Christian Democrat group, has been elected president of the European Parliament.

Mr Tajani defeated his socialist opponent Gianni Pittella after a day-long series of polls.

Before the first round of voting, the EPP, the largest group in the legislature, and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), the fourth-largest, announced a coalition that gave Mr Tajani a big early lead over the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) candidate Mr Pittella.

He maintained the lead through four rounds of voting.

The battle among the two Italians was won by Mr Tajani by a vote of 351-282.

Mr Tajani’s victory gives the Christian Democrats all the biggest jobs in the EU, with Donald Tusk as European Council president and Jean-Claude Juncker as European Commission chief. </s> Antonio Tajani of the EPP Christian Democrat group was elected president of the European Parliament on Tuesday in a daylong polling series during which he defeated his socialist opponent.

Before the first round of voting, the EPP, the largest group in the legislature, and the ALDE liberals, the fourth-largest, announced a coalition that gave Tajani a big early lead over S&D socialist Gianni Pittella.

He maintained the lead through four rounds of voting.

The battle among the two Italians was won by Tajani on a vote of 351-282.

Tajani's victory gives the Christian Democrats all the biggest jobs in the EU, with Donald Tusk as Council President and Jean-Claude Juncker as Commission chief. </s> The European Parliament has elected Antonio Tajani as its next President, to succeed Martin Schulz. Tajani was elected in the 4th round of voting after no absolute majority of votes cast was achieved in the first three rounds. The final vote saw Tajani beat Gianni Pittella with 351 votes to 282.

Antonio Tajani was born on 4 August 1953 in Rome. He is an experienced Italian politician having served among other positions, as a Vice-President of the European Commission, and of the European Parliament.

Tajani studied Law at the Sapienza University of Rome and has worked as a journalist, specialized on parliamentary affairs. He worked at the Rai Radio 1, at the newspaper ‘Il Giornale’ and travelling as a special envoy in Lebanon, Somalia and Soviet Union.

He showed an interest in politics since his youth, when he joined the Youth Monarchist Front, a student organization of the Monarchist party of Italy.

But his involvement in deep politics started in 1994 when he participated in the creation of the Forza Italia party. Being one of its founders, he also served as the regional coordinator for the Lazio region between 1994 and 2005.

In 1994-95 Tajani was a spokesman of the Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

In 2001 he was a candidate for mayor of Rome but he was defeated by Walter Veltroni.

Since 2002 Tajani is one of the 10 vice-presidents of the European People’s Party (EPP).

In 1994 he entered in European politics since he was elected MEP. He was reelected in 1999 and in 2004.

On May 2008, he was appointed as Italy’s EU Commissioner receiving the Transport portfolio.

Among his achievements in this role, Tajani elaborated the rescue plan for Alitalia and he oversaw the drafting of the new EU Regulation relating to transport. Thanks to this regulation the defense of the rights of passengers in air transport were safeguarded. Critics have suggested he has was aware of the Volkswagen emissions scandal but failed to act during his term at the Commission, but his election to the top of the Parliament signal that these allegations have left Tajani unharmed.

In 2009 he was appointed as European Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship in the second Barroso Commission.
Antonio Tajani has been elected as new President of the European Parliament.