Verbatim report of proceedings of 18 January 2022
Date: 2022-01-18
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: European Parliament, parliamentary debate








C_202405559EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series














20.9.2024







            18 January 2022
            VERBATIM REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS OF 18 JANUARY 2022
            
         
(C/2024/5559)

Contents







1.

Opening of the sitting
3










2.

Short presentations by the candidates for election to the office of the President
3










3.

Resumption of the sitting
6










4.

Election of the President of Parliament
7










5.

Resumption of the sitting
7










6.

Election of the President of Parliament (announcement of results)
7










7.

Election of the Vice-Presidents of Parliament (deadline for submitting nominations)
13










8.

Resumption of the sitting
13










9.

Amendment of final draft agenda
13










10.

Election of the Vice-Presidents of Parliament (first ballot)
14










11.

Resumption of the sitting
14










12.

Election of the Vice-Presidents of Parliament (first ballot) (announcement of results)
15










13.

Resumption of the sitting
16










14.

Election of the Vice-Presidents of Parliament (second ballot)
16










15.

Resumption of the sitting
16










16.

Election of the Vice-Presidents of Parliament (second ballot) (announcement of results)
16










17.

Resumption of the sitting
17










18.

Election of the Vice-Presidents of Parliament (third ballot)
17










19.

Resumption of the sitting
17










20.

Election of the Vice-Presidents of Parliament (third ballot) (announcement of results)
17










21.

Election of the Quaestors of Parliament (deadline for submitting nominations)
18










22.

Debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (announcement of motions for resolutions tabled): see Minutes
18










23.

Closure of the sitting
18




Verbatim report of proceedings of 18 January 2022
                  


PRESIDÊNCIA: PEDRO SILVA PEREIRA


Vice-Presidente

1.   Opening of the sitting

(The sitting opened at 9.00)

2.   Short presentations by the candidates for election to the office of the President

Presidente. – No seguimento da decisão da Conferência dos Presidentes de 12 de janeiro de 2022, as eleições do Presidente, dos Vice-Presidentes e dos Questores do Parlamento Europeu serão organizadas num formato à distância, em conformidade com as instruções e modalidades que todos receberam por correio eletrónico em 12 de janeiro de 2022.
               

                  Os candidatos à função de Presidente foram anunciados na sessão de ontem, mas devo informar que o Senhor Kosma Złotowski informou a Presidente interina de que retira a sua candidatura ao cargo de Presidente. Por conseguinte, os candidatos ao cargo de Presidente do Parlamento Europeu são agora:
               






—



                        Alice Kuhnke
                     










—



                        Roberta Metsola
                     










—



                        Sira Rego
                     





                  Todos os candidatos confirmaram que as candidaturas foram apresentadas com o seu acordo.
               

                  Antes de dar início à votação, gostaria de dar a palavra para uma breve intervenção a cada candidato. Cada um disporá de 5 minutos. Vamos fazê-lo por ordem alfabética.
               

Alice Kuhnke (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, dear colleagues, I was 10 years old the first time I picked up the phone and a Nazi told me that I didn't belong in Sweden, where I was born and raised. He said he would kill me and my family if we didn't leave the country – my home country.
The threats never stopped, but my fear became anger and my anger became political action. I am European. I am elected by the people. A Member of this House. And I stand before you as the Greens/EFA candidate for President of this Parliament.
To those of you who keep telling me that I don't belong, you are wrong. The pro-democratic majority of this House will never allow you to define who belongs to this Parliament or to our European family.
Standing here today my thoughts go to our dear colleague, the late President Sassoli. He will be remembered for his seemingly effortless commitment to the European project and the work of this House. Let us honour his legacy by standing up together for fundamental rights, European solidarity and a European Union for all.
There are three little words written at the bottom of every resolution, every report and every legislative position in this House. Three small words that connect us all: united in diversity. I believe in a European Parliament of diversity, but believing in diversity as a strength also means we must defend this European project. The fundamental rights of EU citizens and the rules of democracy are not negotiable.
As your President, I will listen to and learn from those who stand up for their rights and our common future. From young people demanding climate justice to minorities demanding a seat at the table and brave Europeans risking their own safety to help migrants at our common borders.
When governments tell our citizens that they do not have the right to decide over their own bodies, we must stand with them. As your President, I would honour the legacy of the former President Simon Veil with an initiative to reward individuals and organisations fighting for sexual and reproductive health and rights wherever they are challenged in Europe.
Dear colleagues, we must earn and protect the trust of our citizens by delivering on the biggest challenges that people around Europe face today. So let this Parliament be a force for social justice, green transition and fair recovery for all. This Parliament has declared a climate emergency. Let us act on it by ensuring that the Commission delivers on the Green Deal. Let's raise the bar for climate action and the protection of biodiversity, and let's earn the title as guardian of the treaties, when the Commission fails to fulfil this role.
This House must lead by example. As your President, I will work tirelessly for a European Parliament where diversity is an asset, not a disadvantage. Zero tolerance on sexism is possible. Let us make anti-harassment training mandatory. Let's create an equal workplace with flexible methods. Let's ensure transparency and internal democracy in this House, ending the time of back-room dealings.
Let us practice what we preach by making sure our own institution is a front-runner in the green transition. For example, by adding solar panels on the 20 000 square metres of flat roof available on our buildings here in Strasbourg.
We have had the courage to take on the Commission and the Council when it was necessary in the past. As your President, I will fight for a feminist parliament that defends and protects. Let us be courageous again.
Mr President, colleagues, before I finish. You cannot be what you cannot see. To all the 10-year-old girls out there who are told that you do not belong, with this candidacy I want to show you that you do. The European Parliament, this House, is yours.

Roberta Metsola (PPE). – Mr President, a week ago, we lost a great man: a champion of our Europe, a man who put dignity of people above all, the gentle journalist turned politician who, calmly but resolutely, tried to show a sick world the way of solidarity and of service, as one columnist described David Sassoli.
David fought hard to bring people around the same table. It is that commitment to holding the constructive forces in Europe together that I will build on if you give me your trust to serve as your President. This is a House of discussion. I am proud of this parliamentary philosophy and determined to strengthen our debating culture. Rabbi Sacks once wrote, ‘Truth emerges from disagreement and debate. Because tolerance means making space for difference. Because justice involves Audi alteram partem
                  ’ – to hear the other side. My appeal is to rediscover the purpose of Kohl and Mitterrand and leave behind the entrenchments of the past as we look to the future.
Politics cannot boil down to winners and losers. It is about improving societies and lives, about service, and it is here that our European Parliament must truly be a leader. Ours is an institution that is unique in the world. We need to strengthen it. We cannot be afraid of reform. The next part of the mandate will see a window of opportunity to make our Parliament more modern, more effective and more efficient. We must seize the opportunity to ensure we are able to fulfil our role in representing our citizens, in scrutinising, in investigating, in legislating, with the right of initiative that we have been promised.
Our Parliament is the best example of Europe. We are in Strasbourg as the symbol of democracy, of reconciliation, of peace, of the power of Europe to shape a future of hope. It is not always an easy balance to find, but in our Parliament, like in our Europe, it is the strength of your arguments that matters, not geography. With your trust, I want to be a President of Members who makes full use of all young energies and old wisdoms present in the House to help find solutions to the challenges of our time. It is in this House that we must double down on our commitment to fight climate change and become the world's first carbon neutral continent. It is here where we must be able to find the way forward on migration, on energy, on digitalisation, on health, on equality, on a new economic model, on defence, on solidarity and social justice. Women's rights cannot be an afterthought. The fight for real equality must go beyond image. It must permeate through everything that we do, and I would be proud to be the President who leads that fight, to honour the legacy of all those who came before.
The President of this House must be one who can bring people together. She must be able to help Members close the gap between people and European decision-making. Ours must be a European Parliament that is able to fulfil its role on the global stage. We need to increase our focus on parliamentary democracy and diplomacy. Ukraine is under threat. Belarus is at boiling point. We also need a President who is accessible, who manages a modern parliament that uses technological opportunities while preserving the solemnity of parliamentary democracy; who understands the reality that MEPs face. This must be a Parliament that has to be open, safe and diverse – a Parliament that has the respect that it deserves, where Members are free to exercise their mandate. And our President needs to be a consensus-builder who listens, who can bridge the differences and hold the centre.
I have been able to do that, working with colleagues and friends from across the aisle on issues where majorities are not easy to find, like migration, the protection of fundamental rights, Frontex, fighting corruption, beating racism, championing LGBTQI causes, ending SLAPP lawsuits, pushing back against discrimination and empowering women and girls. My commitment as President would be to work with MEPs to give the institutional backing that you request in order to help find a way forward. Ours must be a Parliament that speaks out strongly, powerfully. Our role in holding the Commission to account is clear, and we must live up to it. My commitment is that I will not shy away from the difficult decisions and will always, always, represent the views of this House, everywhere.
I am a woman from a small island in the middle of Europe's southern sea. I know what it means to be the underdog. I know what it means to be pigeonholed. But I also know how important this is for people beyond this Chamber. I know what this means for every girl watching today. I know what it means for everyone who dares, and whoever dared, to dream. So dear friends, I stand before you today to ask for your trust and for your vote to help push our Europe forward together to help people believe.

Sira Rego (The Left). – Señor presidente, quiero empezar haciendo un reconocimiento a la figura de David Sassoli y lo que ha significado para este Parlamento.
               

                  Compañeras, compañeros, para mí es un honor representar en este proceso a La Izquierda, un Grupo humilde, pero que ha sido imprescindible para construir una Europa más democrática, más justa y más fraterna. Nuestra vocación siempre: mejorar la vida de la gente trabajadora, de la mayoría social.
               

                  Vivimos en un mundo con recursos limitados. La respuesta no puede ser que solo unos pocos tengan derechos y acceso a esos recursos. Necesitamos decisiones firmes que afronten las consecuencias de una emergencia climática que ya está aquí. Por eso creemos que, ahora que debatimos sobre el futuro de Europa, debemos apostar por más democracia. Y eso significa que este Parlamento debe impulsar decisiones que den respuesta a los grandes retos que afrontamos en el marco de la crisis ecosocial.
               

                  Además, debemos abanderar una salida justa a la crisis que ha generado la pandemia, defendiendo el empleo y los servicios públicos.
               

                  Y, por supuesto, este Parlamento debe defender los derechos de las mujeres. Ni un paso atrás en nuestro derecho a decidir sobre nuestros propios cuerpos, ni un paso atrás en nuestro derecho al aborto.
               

                  Además, necesitamos poder debatir en un espacio público que no esté intoxicado de mentiras, un espacio diverso y plural como es la sociedad europea. Necesitamos alejarnos de una extrema derecha que solo trae miedo, odio y violencia para que los derechos de todas se conviertan en el privilegio de unos pocos. No son casuales sus ataques a las personas LGTBI, a las mujeres, a los migrantes.
               

                  De hecho, la extrema derecha ha declarado la guerra a los derechos humanos porque, en su modelo estrecho de sociedad, sobramos la mayoría. Su proyecto es el de una minoría que necesita enfrentarnos a los de abajo para que los de arriba se sigan enriqueciendo a costa de nuestra precariedad. Ellos le han declarado la guerra a los derechos humanos. Nosotras luchamos por abolir la injusticia y la desigualdad.
               

                  Por eso debemos señalar que las viejas fórmulas para enfrentar esta amenaza están mostrando sus límites. Saltan las costuras de este pretendido cordón sanitario de las grandes coaliciones y la derecha se muestra demasiado porosa a los planteamientos extremistas. La democracia y el progreso solo pueden defenderse ampliando derechos sociales y con una base material sólida que no deje a nadie atrás.
               

                  Por ello, me gustaría recordar que las democracias europeas tienen como rasgo esencial el eje del antifascismo. Es más, la cohesión europea hunde sus raíces en un continente destrozado por la barbarie nazi y fascista. Constituciones como la italiana o la alemana recogen ese espíritu posterior a la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Pero no son solo historias del pasado.
               

                  Yo vengo de España, el país en el que se ha creado ese fenómeno global que es La casa de papel. Su guionista, uno de los artífices de que el Bella Ciao se coree de nuevo por todo el planeta, nos dice que aún no ha amanecido el día en que no sea una buena idea cantar un himno antifascista.
               

                  El himno que entonamos hoy es el de una Europa más social, más ecologista, más feminista. Basta con que construyamos una alianza democrática amplia entre quienes nos situamos en frente de la barbarie reaccionaria. Por eso, compañeros y compañeras que os identificáis con estas ideas, permitidme este llamamiento: construyamos juntas un nuevo consenso que sitúe el bien común y los derechos sociales en el centro.
               

                  Aprendamos las lecciones de la historia y aprovechemos la oportunidad de salir de esta crisis sin dejar a nadie atrás. No cedamos ante los discursos que pretenden una involución autoritaria. No nos aliemos con quienes comparten su agenda o parte de su agenda. Eso sería un reconocimiento implícito de que la democracia va perdiendo. No cedamos ante los reaccionarios y sus aliados.
               

                  Por eso os pido el apoyo a todos aquellos, a todas aquellas que, como nosotras, se reconozcan —os reconozcáis— en la dignidad de quienes salvan vidas en el Mediterráneo, de la clase trabajadora que se moviliza por sus derechos, de las mujeres que desafían a Gobiernos reaccionarios —¡a sus Gobiernos!— exigiendo libertad para decidir sobre sus cuerpos, de la juventud que ocupa las plazas exigiendo medidas efectivas para afrontar la crisis climática, de quienes pelean por los servicios públicos.
               

                  Pido vuestro apoyo para un nuevo horizonte feminista, porque el feminismo ha venido a cambiarlo todo para decir con orgullo que la historia de Europa también la hemos escrito las mujeres y vamos a seguir escribiéndola desde la sororidad, desde la lucha por la equidad.
               

                  Pido vuestro apoyo para una propuesta que se inspira en la Europa democrática y revolucionaria, aquella que a la libertad y a la igualdad añadió la fraternidad. Pido vuestro apoyo para que construyamos juntas una Europa más democrática, más justa y más fraterna, en definitiva, antifascista.
               

                  ¡Arriba las que luchan!
               

Presidente. – Está feita a apresentação dos candidatos à função de Presidente.
               

                  Será reiniciada às 9.30 com a abertura da primeira volta do escrutínio.
               

(A sessão é suspensa às 9h25)

3.   Resumption of the sitting

(A sessão é retomada às 9h31)

4.   Election of the President of Parliament

Presidente. – Vamos agora proceder à eleição do Presidente, em conformidade com as disposições do nosso Regimento e com as instruções e modalidades que todos receberam.
               

                  Gostaria de recordar que, nos termos do artigo 16.o, n.o 1, do Regimento, para ser eleito, um candidato ou uma candidata deve obter – nas três primeiras voltas do escrutínio – a maioria absoluta dos votos expressos.
               

                  Os votos em branco ou nulos não serão considerados votos expressos.
               

                  Uma vez que se trata de uma votação por escrutínio secreto, apenas os nomes dos deputados que participaram nas votações constarão da ata.
               

                  Declaro aberta a votação até às 10h15.
               

                  Os resultados serão comunicados às 11h00.
               

(A sessão é suspensa às 9h32)

5.   Resumption of the sitting

(A sessão é retomada às 11h03)

6.   Election of the President of Parliament (announcement of results)

Presidente. – Tenho informações importantes a dar a esta casa da democracia europeia.
               

                  O resultado das votações para o cargo de Presidente do Parlamento Europeu já está disponível e é o seguinte:
               






 



                        Deputados votantes 690
                     










 



                        Votos em branco ou nulos 74
                     










 



                        Votos expressos 616
                     










 



                        Maioria absoluta 309
                     





                  Os votos foram expressos do seguinte modo:
               






 



                        Roberta Metsola 458 Votos
                     










 



                        Alice Kuhnke 101 Votos
                     










 



                        Sira Rego 57 Votos
                     





(Aplausos fortes e prolongados)

So, congratulations Roberta Metsola and, indeed, happy birthday.

                  A Deputada Roberta Metsola obteve a maioria absoluta dos votos expressos e é a nova Presidente do Parlamento Europeu.
               

                  Gostaria de transmitir à nossa colega Metsola as minhas felicitações pela sua eleição e de lhe desejar o maior sucesso no exercício do seu mandato. Convido a nova Presidente Roberta Metsola a assumir a Presidência dos nossos trabalhos.
               

PRESIDENZA: ROBERTA METSOLA


President


Il-President. – Membri tal-Parlament Ewropew, kollegi, Ewropej.
                  

                     B'umiltà nħossni onorata bir-responsabbiltà li qed tafdawni biha. Inwiegħed li ser naħdem bl-enerġija kollha tiegħi f'isem dan il-Parlament u għall-ġid taċ-ċittadini Ewropej.
                  
I will honour David Sassoli as President by always standing up for Europe, for our common values of democracy, dignity, justice, solidarity, equality, rule of law and fundamental rights, for the politics of hope and the promise of the European Union. I want people to recapture a sense of belief and enthusiasm for our project. I believe to make our shared space safer, fairer, more just and more equal.
Dear Europeans, in the next years, people across Europe will look to our institution for leadership and 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 so quickly. Disinformation and misinformation, further amplified during the pandemic, fuel easy cynicism and cheap solutions of nationalism, authoritarianism, protectionism and isolationism. These are a false illusion, offering no solutions – because Europe is about precisely the opposite. It is about all of us standing up for one another, bringing our people closer together. It is about all of us defending those principles of our founding mothers and fathers that led us from the ashes of war and holocaust to peace, to hope and to prosperity.
Honourable Members, our House matters. It matters to our judges under attack, to our healthcare frontliners under pressure, to every woman in our Union still fighting for her rights, to the vulnerable, to the oppressed and the abused. It matters to those forced to flee natural disasters, to the families of those killed in terror attacks, to our armed forces and law enforcement serving under difficult conditions, to those seeking protection, to our farmers, NGOs and entrepreneurs. It matters to our LGBTI communities, to those still discriminated against because of their religion, their skin colour or gender identity, to all those who believe in the promise of Europe. This House matters, and when people look to us to defend our values, they will find an ally.
Dear colleagues, my generation sees no old and new Europe. We are the first of the Erasmus generation and the last of the Wałęsa 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 is what makes us stronger, what makes us unique, what makes us European. And we know that, if people are to look to Europe with confidence, we must burst through the Strasbourg and Brussels bubble to bring Europe, its ideas and its decisions to people in different towns and villages across Europe.

                     ‘Chacun se sentirait mieux sur notre planète s'il pouvait entendre la voix forte de l'Europe’: ainsi parlait Valéry Giscard d'Estaing dans son discours d'ouverture de la Convention sur l'avenir de l'Europe, en 2002.
                  
Already then, the call for a stronger Europe existed. We must now ensure that the Conference on the Future of Europe has the support that it needs to ensure concrete outcomes, and especially we must listen to our youth on this year that is dedicated to them.
Dear fellow Europeans, climate change is ravaging our continent and our world. It is no longer a problem for another generation to deal with. If you believe science – and this House does – the question is no longer if, but when. The European Green Deal and the pledge to be the first carbon-free continent is the right answer. This is not only a necessity and an urgency, but it is also an opportunity for Europe to take the lead, to reinvent itself, to ensure growth, sustainability and prosperity, while reducing emissions. We must impress on the rest of the world that the fight against climate change is a common destiny – because tomorrow is too late.
And we must continue to show that you cannot decouple the environment and the economy. Businesses, from start-ups and SMEs to larger corporations across our Union, require legal certainty, easier access to funding and an innovative spirit and environment in Europe. They need less bureaucracy and more chances to take the risks that will see Europe once again regain its competitive edge. The Recovery and Resilience Fund will help our investment to relaunch after the pandemic.
Like the green transition, the digital transformation creates opportunities, and we need to be at the forefront of these changes and steer it – and we will. Our European way of open economies and open societies is a model that I am proud of. It is a model that must be given the support to withstand the pressure it comes under. And this is a pressure to look inwards, to erect new barriers, to put up old borders and abandon our shared Schengen space – a space we have a duty to complete – or any attempt to discredit our values and principles. Konrad Adenauer said European unity was a dream of a few. It became a hope for the many, and today it is a necessity for all of us.
Dear colleagues, the world around us is less friendly than it was a generation ago. The unacceptable attacks on Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity and the dangerous situation in Belarus are prime examples of this, and our collective security is a common challenge. For the European Union 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. As Tarek Osman put it so eloquently, ‘Europe has, after all, curated the most beautiful, refined way of living humanity has ever known’.

                     Cette année marque le soixante-dixième anniversaire de notre présence à Strasbourg. Une ville, une région qui actent géographiquement une séparation des pouvoirs et, par conséquent, offrent une garantie démocratique et font de notre assemblée une institution incarnée, proche et accessible, au service des citoyens. Tout cela en fait un lieu évident pour notre institution.
                  
Europe has a legacy of war, but also of healing. We can put this experience to use in helping efforts to end the separation in the European Union's last divided country – Cyprus – under the auspices of the UN plan. We can never be truly whole while Cyprus remains split.
We must also reverse the lost momentum when it comes to our relationship with the Western Balkans. So dear Members, let me clear. To those who seek to destroy Europe, know that this House stands against you. To those who attempt to undermine democracy, the rule of law, free speech and fundamental rights, who see women as a target and who deny rights to our LGBTQI citizens, know that this House will never accept it. To those who try to blackmail Europe through hybrid attacks, this Parliament will not weaken solidarity among Members. Know that dictators will never divide us.
Let me say to the families of Daphne Caruana Galizia and Ján Kuciak, journalists killed for doing their job: your fight for truth and justice is our fight. To the loved ones of Olivier Dubois, abducted for almost 300 days in Mali, I say that his struggle for freedom must become our struggle.
Friends, Europeans, the political model that we developed has led our continent to democracy, prosperity and equality. But if we are now to raise Europe to the levels promised to the next generation, we now need to forge something even stronger: something in tune with the times, that motivates a younger, more sceptical audience to believe in Europe. And ours must be a Parliament that empowers, that is diverse. I know that having the first female President of this House since 1999 matters both inside and outside these rooms, but it must go further. Our institution's commitment to having more diversity, gender equality, guaranteeing women's rights – all our rights – must be reaffirmed.
Twenty-two years ago, Nicole Fontaine was elected – 20 years after Simone Veil. It will not be another two decades until the next woman is standing here. I know I stand on the shoulders of giants – the shoulders of Simone Veil, Auschwitz inmate 78651, who tore off the shackles of that painful part of our European history to blaze a path through ceilings as the first woman to be European Parliament President; the shoulders of the millions of nameless women who endured so much and who fought for us to have the opportunities that they were never afforded; the shoulders of Ashling, Paulina and all the other women whose lives have already been stolen this year; the shoulders of Europe's displaced and the disappeared, of all those who fought and suffered under totalitarianism and sacrificed everything for Europe; on the shoulders of all those who believed, and who believe still. We stand here thanks to them. We stand here for them. Europe is back. Europe is the future.

                     Vive l'Europe!
                  

(Applaudissements vifs et prolongés)

Thank you, and now we get to work. I will now give the floor to the speakers on behalf of the political groups. I start by inviting Manfred Weber, chair of the EPP Group, to take the floor.

Manfred Weber,
im Namen der PPE-Fraktion. – Sehr geehrte Frau Präsidentin, liebe Roberta! Im Namen deiner Fraktion, der Europäischen Volkspartei, gratuliere ich dir ganz herzlich zur Wahl als Präsidentin des Europäischen Parlaments! Und persönlich: Alles Gute zum Geburtstag – Happy Birthday today!
                  

                     Ich gratuliere dir und möchte auch unterstreichen, dass du heute von diesem Plenum ein starkes Mandat bekommen hast, eine starke Unterstützung ausgesprochen bekommen hast. Ich möchte mich auch im Namen meiner Fraktion für die Unterstützung für unsere Kandidatin der Europäischen Volkspartei bedanken. Es ist ein Signal, dass wir gemeinsam die nächsten zweieinhalb Jahre bis zur Europawahl 2024 angehen wollen – im Geiste des Zusammenarbeitens, im Geiste des Lieferns, damit unsere Bürger wissen, wir arbeiten gemeinsam für sie an den Aufgaben, die unsere Präsidentin eben beschrieben hat.
                  

                     Wir wählen heute mit Roberta Metsola die jüngste Präsidentin des Europäischen Parlaments in der gesamten Geschichte unseres Hauses; wir wählen eine Präsidentin, die aus einem sehr kleinen Mitgliedstaat kommt – das heißt, auch kleine Staaten bedeuten viel in der Europäischen Union; und wir wählen eine Frau an die Spitze des Europäischen Parlaments.
                  

                     Es sei erlaubt, dass ich für die EVP-Fraktion darauf hinweise, dass wir mit Ursula von der Leyen und mit Roberta Metsola jetzt zwei Kandidatinnen vorgeschlagen haben, um die Spitzen der Europäischen Union zu vertreten, weil uns das wichtig ist, weil wir starke Frauen und starke Persönlichkeiten haben. Ich wünsche dir alles Gute.
                  

                     Gestern haben wir leider ein Kapitel schließen müssen, weil wir des Todes von David Sassoli gedacht haben. Ein wichtiges, ein erfolgreiches Kapitel wurde leider geschlossen. Heute öffnen wir ein neues Kapitel; es wird ein gutes Kapitel werden. Alles Gute, Roberta – deine Fraktion ist stolz auf dich.
                  

Iratxe García Pérez,
en nombre del Grupo S&D. – Señora presidenta, felicidades, presidenta. Es un día importante para esta institución, para esta Casa y para quienes creemos que el proyecto europeo necesita de diálogo, necesita de entendimiento, necesita tender puentes frente a quienes pensamos distinto, pero queremos trabajar por el bien común de la ciudadanía europea: para eso nos han elegido.
                  

                     Por lo tanto, me voy a quedar con las palabras que ayer compartíamos en la ceremonia conmemorativa en honor de nuestro querido presidente David Sassoli y le pido que mantenga ese legado, el legado de un hombre, un presidente, que trabajó por una Europa más solidaria, por una Europa más justa, por una Europa que estuviera cerca de quienes más necesitan de nosotros: estoy segura de que, si esa es su idea, si trabaja en esa dirección, va a contar con el apoyo del Grupo de Socialistas y Demócratas para ello.
                  

                     Hay otra cuestión, importante también para nosotros. Querida presidenta, usted sabe que hoy deja de ser una eurodiputada de un grupo parlamentario para ser la presidenta de toda esta Cámara; hoy usted se convierte en la presidenta de todos los eurodiputados y eurodiputadas de esta institución y, por lo tanto, le corresponderá —como estoy segura de que va a hacer— defender las posiciones que de esta Cámara resulten después de nuestros debates y de nuestros votos: es la democracia, y necesitamos, hoy más que nunca, defender la democracia europea.
                  

                     Le deseo todos los éxitos porque los éxitos personales de su trabajo serán los éxitos colectivos de nuestra institución y de nuestro proyecto europeo.
                  

Stéphane Séjourné,
au nom du groupe Renew. – Madame la Présidente, félicitations pour votre élection. Au nom de tout le groupe Renew que je représente, je voudrais d'abord vous remercier de votre discours, énonçant vos priorités. Derrière le soutien de notre groupe, nous avons aussi des priorités politiques que nous avons calées avec un certain nombre de groupes politiques, ici, dans cet hémicycle.
                  

                     Derrière ces priorités politiques, nous voulons un Parlement fort, des droits respectés et j'espère évidemment que l'une des premières décisions que vous pourrez prendre est de soutenir le pacte Simone Veil, Simone Veil que vous avez citée ainsi que de nombreuses femmes dans votre discours, qui vous ont précédée et qui ont porté un certain nombre de droits politiques qui, aujourd'hui, font aussi l'ADN de l'Union européenne.
                  

                     Derrière ce soutien, nous voulons deux années efficaces, deux années au service des Européens, deux années où l'Europe va construire un modèle européen sur beaucoup de sujets. Le numérique – on en a parlé –, l'écologie, les questions de sécurité… Vous aurez le groupe Renew à vos côtés pour travailler dans le cadre de cette institution, en vous remerciant évidemment de la confiance que vous pourrez accorder aussi aux groupes politiques et du travail que vous pourrez faire avec eux.
                  

                     Je remercie également mes collègues qui, dans le cadre de cet accord de mi-mandat, ont su aussi mettre en avant les politiques publiques, ce qu'on appelle en anglais les policies, derrière les noms et l'organisation de ce Parlement.
                  

                     Merci et nous serons évidemment en soutien dans cette période, en espérant que cet hémicycle soit efficace pendant les deux dernières années de notre mandat.
                  

Philippe Lamberts,
au nom du groupe Verts/ALE. – Madame la Présidente, au nom du groupe des Verts au Parlement européen – les Verts/Alliance libre européenne –, je voudrais vous féliciter pour votre élection. J'ai envie de dire: enfin! Enfin, 20 ans après Nicole Fontaine, 40 ans après Simone Veil, une femme à la tête du Parlement européen!
                  

                     Et c'est vrai, Manfred, il faut le reconnaître: c'est le PPE qui a présenté, avec Ursula von der Leyen à la Commission et Roberta Metsola au Parlement européen, deux femmes de très grande qualité pour mener des institutions européennes. On taxe souvent le groupe PPE de groupe misogyne ou, en tout cas, patriarcal. Là, en tout cas, vous avez posé des gestes qui montrent une vraie différence. Et il faut le reconnaître. Nous pouvons être souvent en désaccord, mais il faut aussi rendre à César ce qui lui appartient.
                  

                     Madame la Présidente, vous avez beaucoup de qualités. Vous avez en tout cas certainement la carrure pour diriger ce Parlement européen. Nous connaissons évidemment nos désaccords – on a beaucoup cité le thème de l'IVG et des droits reproductifs des femmes. Nous avons aussi nos points d'accord – vous avez été très éloquente dans votre plaidoyer pour la démocratie, pour l'état de droit. Vous avez peut-être moins évoqué un combat, qui est le vôtre aussi, pour une Europe capable d'accueillir les demandeurs d'asile qui viennent frapper à sa porte. Ces combats, nous les avons menés ensemble par le passé et nous aurons à cœur de les poursuivre.
                  

                     Vous avez cité dans votre discours, Madame la Présidente, quelque chose qui m'a beaucoup touché, en disant que nous sommes riches de nos différences. La devise de l'Union européenne, c'est ‘l'unité dans la diversité’. Ce n'est pas ‘l'unité malgré la diversité’. Autrement dit, et vous l'avez dit, nos différences sont des atouts. Je pense donc que vous aurez à cœur, Madame la Présidente, de garantir le respect de ces différences au sein de cette institution.
                  

                     Parce que – et c'est une note peut-être un peu moins dithyrambique que je veux faire entendre ici – le processus qui a mené à votre élection, Madame la Présidente, n'est pas un processus très glorieux pour le Parlement européen. Parce qu'une fois encore, une fois de plus, le paramètre essentiel de l'accord qui s'est fait – à grand mal – entre les groupes qui vous ont soutenue, a été basé sur des distributions de postes. Et les appétits étaient si grands, et les groupes ayant décidé de ne pas manger dans l'assiette les uns des autres, il a fallu satisfaire ces appétits au détriment des groupes minoritaires de ce Parlement européen.
                  

                     Madame la Présidente, je sais que vous êtes une grande démocrate. La démocratie n'est pas, ne peut pas être, ne peut jamais être le règne sans partage de la majorité. J'ai donc envie de dire que vous pourriez d'emblée poser un geste fort: lancer une réforme des règles de procédure et des statuts de ce Parlement et ancrer dans nos textes le respect des droits des minorités au Parlement et la répartition à la proportionnelle des postes de responsabilité.
                  

                     Il n'est pas normal, il n'est pas acceptable que les majorités, où qu'elles soient d'ailleurs, que ce soit en Pologne ou ici au Parlement européen, minorisent, marginalisent les minorités. Nous sommes tous élus, nous avons tous la même dignité de membre du Parlement européen et il n'est pas question que l'on considère certains membres du Parlement européen, certains groupes du Parlement européen comme des groupes de seconde zone. Voilà un combat que nous pourrions mener ensemble. Il y en aura beaucoup d'autres. Mais en tout cas, une fois encore, félicitations et… bon anniversaire!
                  

Marco Zanni,
a nome del gruppo ID. – Signora Presidente, buon compleanno, congratulazioni per la per la Sua elezione e in bocca al lupo.
                  

                     Ne avrà bisogno perché il Suo compito già di per sé non è facile, ma non sarà facile nei prossimi due anni e mezzo per due ragioni principali.
                  

                     La prima è che raccoglie ovviamente un'eredità pesante, quella del Presidente Sassoli, ma sono sicuro che saprà rendergli onore. La seconda perché le istituzioni europee nei prossimi anni si troveranno ad affrontare un dibattito molto importante: l'uscita da una pandemia, sia per quanto riguarda il funzionamento di queste istituzioni, sia per quanto riguarda le sfide politiche, la riforma delle nostre regole, guardando al passato, agli errori commessi e cercando di costruire un futuro migliore e, ovviamente, la gestione di una situazione che non sarà semplice.
                  

                     Molte nuvole grigie si approcciano al futuro geopolitico dell'Europa e dei nostri alleati, quindi davvero in bocca al lupo.
                  

                     Per quanto riguarda ciò che io mi aspetto da Lei, anche avendo sentito e apprezzato il Suo discorso di insediamento, è ovviamente il rispetto per questa istituzione e per tutti i 705 deputati.
                  

                     Vede, il collega Lamberts evidenziava una cosa molto importante: è un evento sicuramente straordinario, nel vero senso del termine, che una donna venga eletta alla testa di questa istituzione. Evento meno importante, ma altrettanto straordinario credo sia il mio essere d'accordo con Philippe, credo che io possa sottoscrivere completamente le sue parole: quello che ci aspettiamo da chi davvero crede in questa istituzione è il rispetto dei diritti di tutti, come accade in tutti i parlamenti democratici, e sono sicuro che Lei in questi due anni e mezzo potrà garantirlo. Buon lavoro.
                  

Raffaele Fitto,
a nome del gruppo ECR. – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, anch'io voglio associarmi agli auguri di buon lavoro e di buon compleanno, evidentemente e vista la coincidenza.
                  

                     Noi guardiamo con molta attenzione alla Sua Presidenza. Sappiamo che in questo Parlamento vi è la necessità di far sì che le parole che ieri hanno risuonato in quest'Aula, soprattutto la principale, il rispetto nei rapporti sia un elemento fondamentale nell'azione e nel lavoro di questo Parlamento.
                  

                     Io sono contento perché oggi il Parlamento europeo ha eletto una donna, ma io sono molto contento perché questa donna è una donna che conosco e per la quale non ho difficoltà a esprimere un apprezzamento di carattere personale, perché penso che ci siano tutte le condizioni per poter svolgere questo ruolo, grazie al suo curriculum, con serietà e con competenza.
                  

                     Quindi sì, molto bene una donna, ma soprattutto molto bene una donna che ha le competenze e le capacità per poter svolgere questo ruolo. E questo ritengo che sia un elemento della nostra valutazione molto importante, soprattutto perché noi avremo inevitabilmente – i discorsi di tutti i capigruppo lo confermano – dei punti di vista divergenti. Ognuno di noi potrebbe scegliere nel suo discorso delle cose che ci piacciono ed enfatizzarle, ignorando o criticando delle cose che non ci piacciono.
                  

                     Il Suo non sarà un ruolo semplice. Noi lavoreremo però perché questo ruolo sia un ruolo di garanzia e il nostro approccio così come è stato nel passato sarà anche per il futuro un approccio a un ruolo disponibile al dialogo, perché questa istituzione possa recuperare la sua credibilità nell'interesse della stessa istituzione e anche del suo ruolo e della sua azione.
                  

                     Siamo soddisfatti questa mattina per questo risultato e ci auguriamo di poter lavorare con Lei, ne siamo convinti, nell'interesse di questo Parlamento e di queste istituzioni per il futuro. Auguri e buon lavoro.
                  

Martin Schirdewan,
im Namen der Fraktion The Left. – Frau Präsidentin! Herzlichen Glückwunsch erst einmal zum Geburtstag! Das ist tatsächlich ein schöner Zufall, dass Ihr Geburtstag und Ihre Wahl auf einen Tag fallen. Ich nehme an, Sie werden heute doppelt so heftig feiern.
                  

                     Liebe Roberta, Sie werden auch von unserer Fraktion in Ihrer Arbeit sehr konstruktiv begleitet werden, und ich möchte im Namen meiner Fraktion zur Wahl gratulieren.
                  

                     Die Fußstapfen, in die Sie treten, die Traditionslinien, die Sie aufzugreifen haben, haben Sie selbst geschildert, und die sind enorm: Beginnend bei der ersten Präsidentin dieses Hauses – Simone Veil, einer Holocaust-Überlebenden – bis hin zu David Sassoli, von dem wir uns gestern verabschiedet haben, haben Ihre beiden Vorgängerinnen und alle Vorgänger daran gearbeitet, die europäische Integration und die europäische Demokratie zu stärken und zu verhindern, dass es zu einem Rückfall in einen zerstörerischen Nationalismus kommt.
                  

                     Und Sie haben angekündigt, diesen Weg fortzusetzen. Das begrüßen wir, und ich bin mir sicher, dass es Ihnen dabei gelingen wird, auch eigene Akzente zu setzen und eine eigene politische Agenda zu gestalten.
                  

                     Sie haben gesagt, dass das Europäische Parlament zu einem offenen Ort für die Bürgerinnen und Bürger der Europäischen Union werden soll. Das begrüßen wir sehr. Sie haben gesagt, dass offene, demokratische Debatten stattfinden sollen, die alle demokratischen Stimmen in sich tragen. Auch das begrüßen wir sehr. Und wir haben auch das Interesse, diese Institution zu stärken gegenüber den anderen europäischen Institutionen, weil das das direkt gewählte Parlament ist und hier die Stimme der Bürgerinnen und Bürger gehört werden und entsprechend auch in die Politik einfließen muss.
                  

                     Wir haben uns heute dennoch erlaubt, eine eigene Kandidatin zu nominieren – Sira Rego, der ich sehr danken möchte für ihre Bereitschaft, heute auch den demokratischen Diskurs in dem Sinne auszufechten, wie wir ihn verstehen, nämlich mit offenem Visier, transparent und konstruktiv.
                  

                     Und wir haben deutlich gemacht, wofür meine Fraktion hier im Europäischen Parlament steht: Wir setzen uns dafür ein, dass es zu einer stärkeren Demokratisierung, zu einer stärkeren sozialen Europäischen Union kommt, dass die ökologischen Gesichtspunkte beachtet werden, Feminismus auf der Tagesordnung dieses Parlaments steht und ja, auch Antifaschismus im Sinne der Vorgänger, deren Amt Sie heute antreten.
                  

                     Wir freuen uns auf eine konstruktive Zusammenarbeit in diesem Sinne sowohl in der Konferenz der Präsidenten als auch im Präsidium als auch in anderen Gremien dieses Hauses, und wir freuen uns sehr, gemeinsam Dinge bewegen zu können.
                  

President. – Thank you very much. Thanks to all of you for those kind words and points to be noted and acted upon.
7.   Election of the Vice-Presidents of Parliament (deadline for submitting nominations)

President. – I will give a bit of information about the election of the Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament. I propose that the deadline for the candidatures will be at 12.30 today. The candidatures need to be deposited at the Deputy Secretary-General's office, R00.101 in the Louise Weiss Building. They can also be stamped, signed, scanned and sent electronically.

(The sitting was suspended at 11.42)

8.   Resumption of the sitting

(Ħin li fih tkompliet is-seduta: 15.01)

9.   Amendment of final draft agenda

Il-President. – Bil-kunsens tal-gruppi politiċi, nixtieq inressaq lill-Kamra l-proposta li ġejja għall-bidliet fl-abbozz tal-aġenda finali tat-Tlieta, tal-lum jiġifieri:
               






 



                        l-Elezzjoni tal-Viċi Presidenti tal-Parlament, it-tieni votazzjoni, oriġinarjament skedata mill-17.00 sas-17.45, issa se ssir mill-17.30 sas-18.15, b'hekk ir-riżultati mbagħad jitħabbru fis-19.00;
                     










 



                        l-Elezzjoni tal-Viċi Presidenti tal-Parlament, it-tielet votazzjoni, oriġinarjament skedata mis-19.00 sat-19.45, issa se ssir mis-19.30 sat-20.15, u r-riżultati mbagħad jitħabbru fid-21.00.
                     





                  Jekk m'hemm l-ebda oġġezzjoni, dawn il-bidliet huma approvati.
               
10.   Election of the Vice-Presidents of Parliament (first ballot)

Il-President. – Il-punt li jmiss fl-aġenda huwa l-Elezzjoni tal-Viċi Presidenti tal-Parlament Ewropew.
               

                  L-elezzjoni tal-Viċi Presidenti tal-Parlament Ewropew se tkun ukoll organizzata b'mod remot skont l-istruzzjonijiet u l-modalitajiet li rċevejtu.
               

                  Ngħarrafkom li rċevejt dawn il-kandidaturi li ġejjin: Katarina Barley, Nicola Beer, Mara Bizzotto, Fabio Massimo Castaldo, Dita Charanzová, Heidi Hautala, Lívia Járóka, Eva Kaili, Othmar Karas, Marcel Kolaja, Ewa Kopacz, Dimitrios Papadimoulis, Pina Picierno, Evelyn Regner, Pedro Silva Pereira, Michal Šimečka, Rainer Wieland u Roberts Zīle.
               

                  Il-kandidati kollha kkonfermawli li jaċċettaw il-kandidaturi tagħhom.
               

                  Ngħaddu issa għall-votazzjoni.
               

                  Minħabba li n-numru ta' kandidati jaqbeż in-numru ta' siġġijiet li jridu jimtlew, għandna nagħmlu votazzjoni sigrieta skont l-Artikolu 17, paragrafu 1, tar-Regoli ta' Proċedura.
               

                  Nixtieq infakkar lill-Membri fid-dispożizzjonijiet tal-Artikolu 17, paragrafu 1, tar-Regoli ta' Proċedura, li jgħid hekk:
               

                  ‘Il-Viċi Presidenti għandhom imbagħad jiġu eletti fuq votazzjoni waħda. Għandhom ikunu dikjarati eletti fl-ewwel votazzjoni dawk illi jġibu maġġoranza assoluta tal-voti mitfugħa, sakemm jimtlew erbatax-il post u fl-ordni skont in-numru ta' voti li jkunu kisbu. Jekk in-numru ta' kandidati eletti jkun anqas min-numru ta' karigi li jridu jimtlew, għandha ssir it-tieni votazzjoni skont l-istess kundizzjonijiet sabiex jimtlew il-karigi li jkun fadal. Jekk tkun meħtieġa it-tielet votazzjoni, maġġoranza relattiva għandha tkun biżżejjed għall-elezzjoni fil-karigi li jkun fadal. Fil-każ ta' riżultat ndaqs, l-aktar kandidati anzjani għandhom ikunu dikjarati eletti.’
               

                  B'hekk ngħaddu issa għall-elezzjoni tal-Viċi Presidenti permezz ta' votazzjoni elettronika remota b'vot sigriet.
               

                  Hemm 14-il Viċi President li għandhom jiġu eletti, u għalhekk kull Membru għandu massimu ta' 14-il vot.
               

                  Nerġa' nfakkarkom li l-votazzjoni hija valida biss jekk aktar minn nofs il-voti disponibbli jkunu ntefgħu. Billi għall-Viċi Presidenti hemm 14-il siġġu li jridu jimtlew, tridu tivvotaw għal tal-anqas 8 kandidati, inkella l-vot tagħkom jitqies null u bla effett.
               

                  Infakkarkom li, skont l-Artikolu 17, paragrafu 1, tar-Regoli ta' Proċedura, biex ikun elett kandidat għandu jikseb – fl-ewwel żewġ votazzjonijiet – il-maġġoranza assoluta tal-voti mitfugħa.
               

                  Il-poloz vojta jew nulli mhumiex se jitqiesu voti mitfugħa.
               

                  Niddikjara miftuħa l-votazzjoni sal-15.45; biex imbagħad nħabbru r-riżultati fl-16.30.
               

(Ħin li fih ġiet sospiża s-seduta: 15.05)

11.   Resumption of the sitting

(Ħin li fih tkompliet is-seduta: 16.34)

12.   Election of the Vice-Presidents of Parliament (first ballot) (announcement of results)

Il-President. – Nixtieq inħabbar ir-riżultati tal-elezzjoni tal-Viċi Presidenti, li huma dawn li ġejjin:
               






 



                        Numru ta' votanti: 691
                     










 



                        Poloz vojta jew nulli: 11
                     










 



                        Voti mitfugħa: 680
                     










 



                        Maġġoranza assoluta: 341
                     





                  Il-kandidati kisbu dawn il-voti:
               






 



                        Katarina Barley: 426 vot
                     










 



                        Nicola Beer: 315-il vot
                     










 



                        Mara Bizzotto: 173 vot
                     










 



                        Fabio Massimo Castaldo: 275 vot
                     










 



                        Dita Charanzová: 406 voti
                     










 



                        Heidi Hautala: 290 vot
                     










 



                        Lívia Járóka: 169 vot
                     










 



                        Eva Kaili: 454 vot
                     










 



                        Othmar Karas: 536 vot
                     










 



                        Marcel Kolaja: 247 vot
                     










 



                        Ewa Kopacz: 467 vot
                     










 



                        Dimitrios Papadimoulis: 299 vot
                     










 



                        Pina Picierno: 527 vot
                     










 



                        Evelyn Regner: 434 vot
                     










 



                        Pedro Silva Pereira: 517-il vot
                     










 



                        Michal Šimečka: 326 vot
                     










 



                        Rainer Wieland: 432 vot
                     










 



                        Roberts Zīle: 322 vot
                     










 



                        Dawn il-kandidati b'hekk kisbu maġġoranza assoluta tal-voti mitfugħa fl-ordni ta' kif irċevew ir-riżultat: Othmar Karas, Pina Picierno, Pedro Silva Pereira, Ewa Kopacz, Eva Kaili, Evelyn Regner, Rainer Wieland, Katarina Barley, Dita Charanzová.
                     





                  Nixtieq nifirħilkom, għeżież kollegi, għall-elezzjoni tagħkom.
               

                  Dak ifisser li għad baqgħalna nimlew 5 siġġijiet oħra fl-elezzjoni tal-Viċi Presidenti, u allura se nkollna bżonn it-tieni votazzjoni.
               

                  Jekk m'hemmx osservazzjonijiet, nikkunsidra li l-kandidaturi tal-ewwel votazzjoni għadhom validi.
               

                  Ladarba m'hemm l-ebda osservazzjoni, allura se nagħmlu t-tieni votazzjoni, li se tibda fil-17.30.
               

(Ħin li fih ġiet sospiża s-seduta: 16.38)

13.   Resumption of the sitting

(Ħin li fih tkompliet is-seduta: 17.30)

14.   Election of the Vice-Presidents of Parliament (second ballot)

President. – Welcome back. The sitting is resumed. We shall now hold the second ballot in the election of the Vice-Presidents.
Ms Lívia Járóka has informed me that she withdraws her candidature for the post of Vice-President, and therefore the candidates for the post of Vice-President of the European Parliament are Nicola Beer, Mara Bizzotto, Fabio Massimo Castaldo, Heidi Hautala, Marcel Kolaja, Dimitrios Papadimoulis, Michal Šimečka and Roberts Zīle.
As there are five seats still to be filled, you can only vote for a maximum of five candidates. May I remind you once again, that the vote is valid only if more than half of the available votes have been cast. So given that there are five seats as Vice-President still to be filled, dear colleagues you must vote for at least three candidates, otherwise your vote will be considered null and void.
I declare the vote open until 18.15; the announcement of the results will take place at 19.00.

(The sitting was suspended at 17.32)

15.   Resumption of the sitting

(The sitting resumed at 19.00)

16.   Election of the Vice-Presidents of Parliament (second ballot) (announcement of results)

President. – The result of the second ballot in the election of the Vice-Presidents are as follows.






 


Members voting 698










 


Blank or void ballots 7










 


Votes cast 691










 


Absolute majority 346




The votes were cast as follows. I will read them out:
Nicola Beer 410 votes.
Mara Bizzotto 211 votes
Fabio Massimo Castaldo 251 votes.






 


Heidi Hautala 294 votes










 


Marcel Kolaja 239 votes










 


Dimitrios Papadimoulis 329 votes










 


Michal Šimečka 494 votes










 


Roberts Zīle 403 votes










 


So that means that the following candidates have obtained an absolute majority of the votes cast: Michal Šimečka, Nicola Beer and Roberts Zīle. Congratulations on your election.




Two seats now remain to be filled in the election of the Vice-Presidents, and therefore we need a third ballot. Unless there are any comments, I take it that the candidates in the second ballot are still standing.
I see that there are no comments and therefore the candidates in the second ballot will also stand in the third ballot.

(The sitting was suspended at 19.02)

17.   Resumption of the sitting

(The sitting resumed at 19.30)

18.   Election of the Vice-Presidents of Parliament (third ballot)

President. – We shall now hold the third ballot in the election of the Vice-Presidents of this House. Marcel Kolaja has informed me that he withdraws his candidature, and therefore the candidates for the post of Vice-President of the European Parliament are Mara Bizzotto, Fabio Massimo Castaldo, Heidi Hautala and Dimitrios Papadimoulis.
I should remind you that in the third ballot a relative majority is sufficient for election to the remaining seats. As there are two seats still to be filled, you can only vote for two candidates. May I remind you once again that the vote is valid only if more than half of the available votes have been cast. Given that there are two seats of Vice-President still to be filled, that means that you must vote for at least two candidates. Otherwise, your vote will be considered null and void. In the event of a tie, the oldest candidate will be declared elected. I now declare the vote open until 20.15.

(The sitting was suspended at 19.32)

19.   Resumption of the sitting

(The sitting resumed at 20.58)

20.   Election of the Vice-Presidents of Parliament (third ballot) (announcement of results)

President. – The results of the third ballot in the election of the Vice-Presidents are as follows:






 


Members voting 670










 


Blank or void ballots 12










 


Votes cast 658




The votes were cast as follows:






 


Mara Bizzotto 193 votes










 


Fabio Massimo Castaldo 247 votes










 


Heidi Hautala 384 votes










 


Dimitrios Papadimoulis 492 votes










 


So, on the basis of this third ballot, I declare Dimitrios Papadimoulis and Heidi Hautala elected as Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament and I congratulate you both warmly.




In accordance with Rule 17(2), the Vice-Presidents will take precedence in the order in which they were elected and, in the event of a tie, by age. The composition of the new Bureau will be notified to the Presidents of the institutions of the European Union.
21.   Election of the Quaestors of Parliament (deadline for submitting nominations)

President. – For the election of the Quaestors of the European Parliament, I now propose setting the deadline for candidacies tonight at 22.00. Candidacies should be lodged at the Deputy Secretary-General's office, R00.101 in the Louise Weiss Building or be printed, signed and scanned to be transmitted electronically.
22.   Debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (announcement of motions for resolutions tabled): see Minutes
23.   Closure of the sitting

(The sitting closed at 21.01)



ELI: 
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)