Verbatim report of proceedings of 16 July 2024
Date: 2024-07-16
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: European Parliament, parliamentary debate








C_202503349EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series














19.6.2025







            16 July 2024
            VERBATIM REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS OF 16 JULY 2024
            
         
(C/2025/3349)

Contents







1.

Opening of the sitting (first sitting of the newly elected Parliament)
3










2.

Verification of credentials
3










3.

Announcement of the candidates for election to the office of President
4










4.

Short presentations by the candidates for election to the office of President
4










5.

Election of the President and Vice-Presidents (appointment of tellers)
6










6.

Election of the President of Parliament (first ballot)
7










7.

Resumption of the sitting
8










8.

Election of the President of Parliament (first ballot) (announcement of results)
9










9.

Establishment of political groups
12










10.

Election of Vice-Presidents of Parliament (deadline for submitting nominations)
12










11.

Resumption of the sitting
13










12.

Election of Vice-Presidents of Parliament (announcement of nominations)
13










13.

Election of Vice-Presidents of Parliament (first ballot)
13










14.

Resumption of the sitting
14










15.

Election of Vice-Presidents of Parliament (first ballot) (announcement of results)
14










16.

Resumption of the sitting
15










17.

Election of Vice-Presidents of Parliament (second ballot)
15










18.

Resumption of the sitting
16










19.

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










20.

Election of Quaestors (deadline for submitting nominations)
17










21.

Agenda of the next sitting
17










22.

Closure of the sitting
17




Verbatim report of proceedings of 16 July 2024
                  


PRESIDENZA: ROBERTA METSOLA


President proviżorju

1.   Opening of the sitting (first sitting of the newly elected Parliament)

(The sitting opened at 10.05)


Provisional Chair. – Dear colleagues, in accordance with the Act of 20 September 1976 concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage and with Rule 160(2) of Parliament's Rules of Procedure, I declare open the first sitting of the European Parliament after the European elections.

(Applause)

We will start by listening to the European anthem, played by Elina Buksha, Takumi Nozawa, Ivan Lebrun and Kacper Nowak.

(The House remained standing for the European Anthem)

2.   Verification of credentials

Provisional Chair. – I would remind you that, in accordance with Rule 14(2) of Parliament's Rules of Procedure, no business shall be transacted while a Member is provisionally in the chair unless it concerns the election of the President or the verification of credentials.
All the official documents which form the basis for the election of Members will be transmitted to the committee responsible for the verification of credentials, which shall be set up in accordance with Rule 212 of the Rules of Procedure.
Pursuant to Rule 3(2), until such time as Members' credentials have been verified or a ruling has been given on any dispute, and provided that they have previously signed the written declaration of non-incompatibility, they shall take their seat in Parliament and on its bodies and shall enjoy all the rights attaching thereto.
Members who are holding an office which is incompatible with the office of Member of the European Parliament, pursuant to Article 7 of the Act of 20 September 1976 concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, may not take their seats.
The eight missing Members who have not yet signed the declaration of non-incompatibility are therefore invited to do so immediately at the stands which are located at the entrance of the Chamber, in order to be able to enjoy all their rights. Otherwise, those eight Members will not be allowed to vote today.
I will now hand over to Vice-President Picierno to preside over the election of the President of the European Parliament.

PRESIDENZA DELL'ON. PINA PICIERNO


Presidente pro-tempore

3.   Announcement of the candidates for election to the office of President

Presidente pro-tempore. – Care colleghe e cari colleghi, procediamo ora all'elezione del Presidente del Parlamento europeo, conformemente alle disposizioni del nostro regolamento.
               

                  Comunico di aver ricevuto, conformemente alle disposizioni del nostro regolamento, le seguenti candidature per la carica di Presidente del Parlamento europeo: l'on. Roberta Metsola e l'on. Irene Montero.
               

                  Le candidate mi hanno confermato di accettare le rispettive candidature.
               
4.   Short presentations by the candidates for election to the office of President

Presidente pro-tempore. – Prima di dare inizio alla votazione, darò brevemente la parola a ciascuna candidata. Ogni candidata avrà a disposizione cinque minuti per il proprio intervento.
               

                  Procederemo in ordine alfabetico.
               

                  La parola all'on. Metsola.
               

Roberta Metsola (PPE). – Grazie, onorevole Picierno, dear colleagues, it is hard to put into words just what it means for a woman who grew up on an island in our Mediterranean Sea to stand before you here today. To me, Europe was worth fighting for. It was never perfect, but we looked to the European Parliament, to this Strasbourg Hemicycle, as a symbol of standards, of opportunity, of reconciliation. It was our guarantee of the rule of law, of equality, of democracy, of liberty, of prosperity. It gave us all the chance to dream of a future where our potential is not limited.
That is what Europe meant to millions of us. That is what Europe means to me and millions of others still. My passion for our project has not dimmed. I want to help build it better. I want to help bridge the remaining gaps between what people expect from Europe and what we can deliver.
And so I am here to ask for your trust and your vote to allow us to continue together for the next two and a half years, and prove to every girl and boy watching today that in our Europe even these unlikely journeys are indeed possible.
The challenges coming our way will require strong leadership: whether that is pushing forward legislation that people need from us, negotiating with other institutions, representing Parliament in Member States, or standing up in Kiev, Chisinau and beyond, we need to stand tall and ready. This last mandate we have learned that the future is anything but predictable. But come what may, I will keep working with all of you to face the tests when they do come.
Friends, two and a half years ago, I stood here after my predecessor, David Sassoli, had just passed away. He was a President who put dignity of people above all.
I promised then that I would honour his legacy. I renew that now. And with your support, I will continue to work tirelessly to bring people together.
Concretely, this must be a House that cannot be afraid to lead and to change. We have started, but we are not yet finished. We need to strengthen and streamline our operations to ensure that this Parliament can be the legislative and political powerhouse we want it to be. This means that we must keep up the pressure to ensure a right of initiative, that we are able to improve our scrutiny and inquiry powers, hold other institutions to account, and address the remaining institutional imbalances.
This must be a strong Parliament in a strong Union. That is what the Treaties intend us to be, and that is what the people need us to be. We cannot accept that our role as parliamentarians is diluted. Parliamentarism must be strengthened.
Members need to be empowered and supported. We must be the ones to be able to say when proposals go too far or when they don't go far enough, when they are too expensive or when they are simply impossible to implement. We must be the ones who push the legislation that our people want and need, and we will do what is necessary to achieve that.
This must be a Parliament of debate, a Parliament of respect, a House where we can discuss and argue our corner in lively and active sessions that capture people's attention and their imagination. A Parliament where red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy is cut. Where simplification means that we are less about ticking boxes and more about common sense. Where any abuse is fought and where it is easier to do our job. Where every Member and all staff feel safe, respected, protected and proud to come into work. We can do that in a Parliament of integrity where we are accountable and we are open.
People will look to us for direction: whether it is standing up for our values and the rule of law, remaining the strong advocate that Ukraine needs, amplifying the voice of humanity in the Middle East as we search for a sustainable peace, or the necessity we have to stick to our commitments and keep our Union as a global leader of rights, of equality, of security, of climate, of opportunity, of competitive, free but fair markets, with a strong social pillar that allows everyone to be whoever they wish to be and where no one is left behind.
Dear colleagues, let me conclude by saying that I will never shy away from taking the difficult decisions. My door will always remain open. Members will be treated fairly and with dignity. As President, you know that I am able to both stand up for Parliament, our Parliament, and build bridges. I am proud to stand here today, and if you choose to lend me your trust, I will not let you down.

Presidente pro-tempore. – Grazie all' onorevole Metsola, e ora la parola all'onorevole Irene Montero
               

Irene Montero (The Left). – Señora presidenta, muy buenos días a todas, a todos y a todes, queridos y queridas colegas. El Grupo de la Izquierda Europea en el Parlamento Europeo, The Left, presentamos esta candidatura para defender una Europa de paz, que apueste por el fin del genocidio contra el pueblo palestino. Una Europa feminista, verde, antirracista, antifascista, de derechos para los trabajadores y las trabajadoras y de justicia social.
               

                  A los pueblos de Europa se nos está imponiendo un gran consenso de guerra, igual que hace quince años se nos impuso una gran coalición de austeridad, de cuyas consecuencias aún no nos hemos recuperado. Sabemos bien que las guerras siempre traen un enorme sufrimiento para los trabajadores y las trabajadoras y para las clases populares. Con la guerra sube el precio de los alimentos y también de la energía. Millones de personas no llegan a fin de mes. Vuelven la austeridad y los recortes en los servicios públicos como la sanidad, la educación, las pensiones y, también, recortes en las políticas públicas que aseguran la justicia social, el derecho a la vivienda o los derechos laborales.
               

                  La prioridad para Europa debe ser detener la destrucción de los derechos sociales y apoyar las luchas obreras y sindicales, que permiten a los trabajadores y a las trabajadoras tener más derechos. Será imposible que Europa desarrolle políticas verdes con justicia social: la militarización de Europa y la escalada bélica agravarán la crisis ecológica e impedirán la transición energética justa, así como proteger la biodiversidad y el bienestar animal.
               

                  También están en cuestión los derechos feministas y de las personas LGTBI. ‘No olvidéis jamás que bastará una crisis política, económica o religiosa para que los derechos de las mujeres vuelvan a ser cuestionados’: esto decía Simone de Beauvoir. El feminismo es la fuerza democrática más poderosa de nuestros tiempos y es urgente avanzar —porque a más de la mitad de la población nos va la vida en ello— hasta garantizar vidas libres de violencias machistas, asegurar el aborto legal, seguro y gratuito, y hacer que el cuidado sea un derecho y que los derechos de las personas LGTBI y trans estén garantizados acabando con la LGTBIfobia.
               

                  Necesitamos también una Europa antirracista y de acogida. Europa no puede sostener una política migratoria sobre la idea de que las personas migrantes son una amenaza, ni sobre la externalización de fronteras, ni sobre la violación sistemática de los derechos humanos de la infancia y de las personas que migran. Tampoco podemos definir nuestra política migratoria sobre la idea y en función de las necesidades de mano de obra de nuestras economías. Ningún ser humano es ilegal, señorías, y nuestra política migratoria debe responder a este principio. Lo que sobra en Europa no son las personas, sino los fondos buitre y las grandes corporaciones que convierten los derechos de los trabajadores y trabajadoras en un negocio.
               

                  La paz es la tarea más urgente para Europa. Creo que incluso quienes con más fuerza defienden el consenso de guerra saben que la victoria para Ucrania y para Europa frente al criminal Putin es la paz. Nos están llevando a una guerra en la que pierde el pueblo ucraniano, pierden los pueblos de Europa y gana la oligarquía putinista, pero también el complejo militar-industrial estadounidense que se está haciendo de oro con el aumento de gasto militar en nuestros países. Los pueblos de Europa no pueden ser súbditos de los intereses militares de Estados Unidos. Las trabajadoras y los trabajadores de Europa no pueden pagar con sus derechos las consecuencias de la escalada bélica.
               

                  Señorías, nos están llevando irresponsablemente a una guerra mientras se protege a un genocida. Netanyahu no podría llevar a cabo este genocidio contra el pueblo palestino sin el apoyo decidido de los Estados Unidos y Europa. Y Europa no puede seguir siendo cómplice del Estado genocida de Israel. ¿Por qué no rompemos el acuerdo de asociación? ¿Por qué no se imponen sanciones para el genocida Netanyahu igual que se ha hecho con el criminal Putin? Esta hipocresía es insoportable y no contará con nuestro silencio. La prioridad de la humanidad en este momento es poner fin al genocidio y a la ocupación ilegal de Palestina.
               

                  Y defendemos también la lucha contra la corrupción y la transparencia de las instituciones europeas. No se puede repetir un Qatargate. Miren, señorías, muchas personas aquí defienden un cordón sanitario a la extrema derecha y las elecciones en Francia nos dejan una lección democrática y antifascista: a la extrema derecha se le gana por la izquierda. Las políticas neoliberales y el relato de la moderación no solo no frenan a la extrema derecha, sino que le ponen una alfombra roja. A los fascistas se los para garantizando derechos.
               

                  Desde el Grupo de la Izquierda Europea creemos que es el momento de comprometerse políticamente para hacer crecer las fuerzas de la paz, del fin del genocidio, del derecho a la vivienda, de los servicios públicos, de los derechos laborales, del feminismo, del antirracismo, de las políticas verdes, del antifascismo y de la justicia social. Hay que hacer crecer la fuerza de los principios éticos; también la fuerza de la esperanza frente a la ley del más fuerte. El presente tiene que servir para construir una Europa de derechos y un mundo mejor. Y para ello les pedimos su confianza y su voto.
               

Presidente pro-tempore. – Grazie onorevole Montero.
               
5.   Election of the President and Vice-Presidents (appointment of tellers)

Presidente pro-tempore. – Procediamo ora all'estrazione a sorte per la nomina degli otto scrutatori. Man mano che sono nominati, inviterò gli scrutatori ad avvicinarsi al banco della Presidenza.
               

                  Onorevole Millán Mon, accetta di svolgere le funzioni di scrutatore?
               

(L'onorevole Millán Mon accetta.)


                  Onorevole Decaro, accetta di svolgere le funzioni di scrutatore?
               

(L'onorevole Decaro accetta.)


                  Onorevole Peter-Hansen, accetta di svolgere le funzioni di scrutatrice?
               

(L'onorevole Peter-Hansen accetta.)


                  Onorevole Turek, accetta di svolgere le funzioni di scrutatore?
               

(L'onorevole Turek accetta.)


                  Onorevole Bartulica, accetta di svolgere le funzioni di scrutatore?
               

(L'onorevole Bartulica accetta.)


                  Onorevole Gosiewska, accetta di svolgere le funzioni di scrutatrice?
               

(L'onorevole Gosiewska accetta.)


                  Onorevole Ušakovs, accetta di svolgere le funzioni di scrutatore?
               

(L'onorevole Ušakovs accetta.)


                  Onorevole Bonaccini, accetta di svolgere le funzioni di scrutatore?
               

(L'onorevole Bonaccini accetta.)


                  Sono stati nominati scrutatori i seguenti deputati: l'onorevole Millán Mon, l'onorevole Decaro, l'onorevole Peter-Hansen, l'onorevole Turek, l'onorevole Bartulica, l'onorevole Gosiewska, l'onorevole Ušakovs e l'onorevole Bonaccini.
               

                  La votazione inizierà tra pochissimi minuti.
               
6.   Election of the President of Parliament (first ballot)

Presidente pro-tempore. – Passiamo ora alla votazione.
               

                  Le istruzioni relative all'elezione del Presidente sono state distribuite per via elettronica a tutti i deputati e troverete delle copie supplementari all'entrata dell'Aula, nel caso ne aveste bisogno.
               

                  Vi ricordo che, a norma dell'articolo 16, per essere eletto, un candidato deve ottenere, nei primi tre scrutini, la maggioranza assoluta dei suffragi espressi.
               

                  Le schede bianche o nulle non saranno considerate ai fini del calcolo dei voti espressi.
               

                  Nel frattempo i commessi stanno procedendo alla distribuzione delle schede; vi chiediamo quindi un attimo di pazienza per poter organizzare al meglio il voto.
               

                  Onorevoli colleghi, dovete rimanere al vostro posto per poter ricevere la scheda di voto. I commessi ora procederanno alla distribuzione delle schede, ma per poter consegnare la scheda di voto dovete essere al vostro posto. Vi prego di rimanere seduti.
               

                  Vi invito a fare silenzio, mentre spieghiamo la modalità di voto e i commessi distribuiscono le schede.
               

                  Intanto vi invito ad attendere fino all'apertura della votazione; utilizzeremo questo tempo per spiegare le modalità dell'elezione.
               

                  Le schede di voto e le buste sono in corso di distribuzione in questi minuti.
               

                  Per votare, dovrete apporre una crocetta sulla casella corrispondente al nome della candidata scelta. È possibile votare per una sola candidata.
               

                  Qualora vogliate rettificare il voto, dovrete chiedere una nuova scheda a un commesso, il quale ve la consegnerà in cambio della scheda errata, che sarà immediatamente distrutta.
               

                  La presenza sulla scheda di scritte o segni diversi da quelli necessari per esprimere il voto ne comporterà l'annullamento; lo stesso vale se si vota per più di una candidatura.
               

                  Piegate la scheda in quattro prima di inserirla nella busta.
               

                  Per chi lo desidera, vi sono cabine elettorali all'ingresso dell'emiciclo.
               

                  Per la votazione, vi invito a servirvi dell'urna che corrisponde alla prima lettera del vostro cognome:
               






 



                        la prima urna è per le lettere A e B
                     










 



                        la seconda urna è per le lettere da C a E
                     










 



                        la terza urna è per le lettere da F a G
                     










 



                        la quarta urna è per le lettere da H a K
                     










 



                        la quinta urna è per le lettere L e M
                     










 



                        la sesta urna è per le lettere da N a R
                     










 



                        la settima urna è per le lettere S e T
                     










 



                        l'ottava urna è per le lettere da U a Z
                     










 



                        Non procederò alla chiama dei deputati, ma mi limiterò ad annunciare l'apertura e la chiusura della votazione.
                     





                  I nomi dei deputati che hanno partecipato alla votazione a scrutinio segreto sono pubblicati nel processo verbale, ragion per cui vi invito a firmare gli elenchi nominativi di presenza prima di depositare la scheda nell'urna.
               

                  Vi ricordo di depositare la scheda elettorale nell'urna che corrisponde alla prima lettera del vostro cognome. All'atto di votare, vi invito a mostrare allo scrutatore un documento d'identità o il vostro badge.
               

                  Gli scrutatori voteranno alla fine dello scrutinio. Invito ora gli scrutatori a recarsi alle rispettive urne.
               

                  La votazione è aperta.
               

(L'Aula procede alla votazione)


Presidente pro-tempore. – Hanno votato tutti?
               

                  Hanno votato anche gli scrutatori?
               

                  Sembra che abbiano votato tutti.
               

                  La votazione è chiusa.
               

                  Invito gli scrutatori a recarsi sala R1.1 per lo spoglio delle schede.
               

                  La seduta è sospesa. Il suono della campanella indicherà la ripresa della seduta, che sarà annunciata anche sugli schermi.
               

(La seduta è sospesa alle 11:22 per lo spoglio delle schede.)

7.   Resumption of the sitting

(La seduta è ripresa alle 12:24.)

8.   Election of the President of Parliament (first ballot) (announcement of results)

Presidente pro-tempore. – Comunico l'esito della votazione.
               






 



                        Numero di votanti: 699
                     










 



                        Schede bianche o nulle: 76
                     










 



                        Voti espressi: 623
                     










 



                        Maggioranza assoluta: 312
                     





                  Le candidate hanno ottenuto i seguenti voti:
               






 



                        On. Metsola: 562 voti
                     










 



                        On. Montero: 61 voti
                     










 



                        L'on. Metsola ha ottenuto la maggioranza assoluta dei suffragi espressi.
                     





                  Presidente Metsola, mi congratulo per la Sua elezione e Le porgo i migliori auguri per il Suo mandato. La invito ad assumere la Presidenza.
               

PRESIDENZA: ROBERTA METSOLA


President


Il-President. – Għeżież kollegi, għeżież Ewropej, b'sens ta' umiltà u responsabbilità nħossni onorata ħafna għall-fiduċja li tajtuni biex nibqa' nservi bħala l-President tagħkom. Ser naħdem kuljum biex inrodd din il-fiduċja fija u f'dan il-Parlament.
                  
This will remain a House of every person in Europe. Together, we must stand up for the politics of hope, for the dream that is Europe, for the promise of our foremothers and fathers that is yet unfulfilled.
Two and a half years later, I still want people to recapture a sense of belief and enthusiasm for our project. A belief to make our shared space safer, fairer, more just and more equal. A belief that together we are stronger and we are better. A belief that ours is a Europe for all.
Ours must be a Europe that remembers, that learns from past struggles and recognises the fight of so many who stood for the ideals we sometimes take for granted; for all those who were displaced, who were disappeared; for those who stood in front of tanks and bullets on the path away from the totalitarianism that took over so much of Europe for so long; for all those who believed in better and who dared to dream. Ours must be a Europe that Adenauer, Mitterrand, Wałęsa, Fenech Adami, Havel, Veil, Falcone, Borsellino would all be proud of.

                     Notre Europe doit être une Europe qui les honore, qui honore notre histoire commune. Il n'y a pas de meilleur endroit qu'ici, à Strasbourg, au siège du Parlement européen, dans ce symbole vivant de la réconciliation, pour se souvenir du passé et construire l'avenir.
                  
Ours must become a Europe that is accessible to all, that everyone feels not only part of, but ownership of. Polarisation in our societies has led to more confrontational politics, even political violence; the easy answers that divide our communities into ‘us’ and ‘them’. We need to move beyond this zero-sum thinking that has excluded people, that turns people away, that foments anger and hate, rather than building hope and belief. We understand that the comfort of such easy politics offers no real solutions.
This is the House that stands for the opposite. That wants to build rather than destroy. That is not afraid to take the difficult path. That is able to find and use its voice for the common good. That is the counter to autocracy. That doubles down on the need to fight for the rule of law. That understands that we must truly all be equal in Europe.
An equality that does not seek to make us all the same – but one that offers every person the same chance to fulfil their potential. It is the equality of opportunity that recognises our difference, that sees those different languages, different cultures, different stories that distinguish us as Europeans as our strength.
It is that strength that will allow us to ensure that the laws we pass here work for the people in every village, town, city and island of our Union. We must be the voice that ensures all of our policies work and that they work well for young people, for families, for farmers and for industry alike.
We share a responsibility to leave Europe a better place than the one we found. And we will leave Europe a better place by creating a new security and defence framework that keeps people safe and pushes back against the expansionist dreams of dictators in our neighbourhood. That defeats the hybrid threats we are still facing. That protects Europe. That defends our strategic autonomy. That keeps the peace. That understands the threat we face is very real.
We will leave Europe a better place by doubling down on Europe's competitiveness: deepening the single market, ensuring quality jobs, concluding global trade deals, completing our banking and capital markets union, and having implementable targets for industry. That keeps Europe's businesses in Europe and gives us the ability to invest in our youth, in research, in education, in culture, in our communities and in the rest of the world. By simplification. By cutting back on red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy that push people and jobs away from Europe. The successes that our people remember the most are the ones where Europe has simplified their lives.
We will leave Europe a better place by giving real solutions on climate. Europe has a proud legacy, and I am convinced that we can remain a world leader and find a way to achieve our targets in a manner that keeps everyone on board, that allows for sustainable development to go hand in hand with the protection of our natural environment and heritage. We can achieve both.
We will leave Europe a better place if we are able to reinforce Europe's social pillar. If we give people hope and dignity. If pensions and wages meet social expectations. We cannot move forward if our youth are unable to rent – let alone buy – a place they can call home. Europe's housing crisis is looming and we must have the tools to help address it – even on a European level.
We will leave Europe a better place if we finally manage to implement proper migration and asylum legislation that includes necessary border management with a returns policy, and, above all, that is human-centric. That ensures that no other mother is given a choice but to put her child into a rickety boat in the hands of criminal trafficking networks. That guarantees that Europe is able to live up to its historic and proud legacy.
We will leave Europe a better place if we are able to harness the opportunities that the digital age allows, that artificial intelligence offers. We have to keep ahead of the curve, and be in a position to reap the benefits and mitigate the consequences of disinformation. We have all the knowledge of the world at our fingertips and yet people feel more lonely than ever before. It shows how much Europe must also mean ‘community’.
We cannot leave Europe a better place if people are still unable to be who they wish to be and love who they wish to love anywhere in Europe. If we do not remove all the barriers that prevent people with disabilities in our Union from having the same chances in life as everyone else. If we are unable to fight discrimination or stem rising antisemitism or Islamophobia. If hate and violence continue to be a driving force of too much of our political discourse. We must deliver a Europe where everyone feels at home. Where girls like Coco from Ireland are protected from their tormentors.
We cannot leave Europe a better place if too many women are still unable to feel part of it. Too many women are still abused, still beaten, still murdered in our Europe. Too many women are still fighting for rights. Too many women still earn less than men for the same job. Too many women still feel afraid. This must become their Europe, too. We can build the Europe that Simone Veil and Nicole Fontaine dreamt of.

(Applause)

The Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie was unable to fully harness. The Europe that Giulia, Pelin, Ana Vanessa, Daphne and so many more women will never be able to see. We will do it for them, for all those unable to speak and for all those who come after.
I know that together we will leave Europe better than we found it. I know that when the world looks to this Parliament, they will see a House that defends rights, that protects journalists, that values freedom, that understands its role in the world as a beacon of democracy across the globe.

                     ‘La tendenza all'essere uniti è una delle costanti della Storia’, disse Alcide de Gasperi settant'anni fa. ‘Parliamo, scriviamo, insistiamo, non lasciamo un istante di respiro; che l'Europa rimanga l'argomento del giorno.’ Mi faccio eco delle sue parole, che dobbiamo ricordare in questa legislatura.
                  
Dear friends, we have learnt that we can never take democracy for granted. We have seen that our European values are regarded by too many as a threat. It is a badge given to us by autocrats that we will continue to wear proudly.
The Russian war of aggression against sovereign Ukraine remains at the top of our agenda. I went to Kyiv in your name at the outbreak of the war. It was a visit that gave new impetus to our House, new visibility and influence. This House helped put the political spotlight on the need to stand with Ukraine, and that light is one that people rely on us to keep shining as brightly as it can be.

(Applause)

We will be called upon to do more and we must be ready to go beyond what is comfortable and do what is necessary. We do this because Europe must stand for freedom, for peace: a real peace with justice, with dignity and with liberty. Because in Europe we understand how to heal seemingly impossible divides.
That must also be the guiding philosophy of our reaction to the conflict in the Middle East, where even in the fog of war ours must continue to be the voice of humanity, pushing for an end to the intergenerational cycle of violence, for a two-state solution, a sustainable peace and the return of those hostages still taken.
It is that role that guides us as we mark 50 sad years of an artificially divided Cyprus. We must be the generation that is able to find a way forward under the auspices of the UN plan. We must finally plug the gap that is so dark in Europe's history with a viable solution, in line with Security Council resolutions and our European values.

(Applause)

It is that defence of our common humanity that means we are the ones to stand with women horrifically under threat in Afghanistan; with those girls and students on the streets of Iran; with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, those unjustly jailed and the movement for a free and democratic Belarus; with the brave Yazidi girls still fighting; with Yulia Navalnaya, who stands tall; with all those around the world who keep defying the tear gas running down upon them as they fly our European flag high.
That is what Europe means across the globe. This is the Parliament that the world sees – the Parliament we are all so proud to serve. This is the parliamentary diplomacy that will be essential as we defend multilateralism and prepare for enlargement of our European Union. As people look to us in Ukraine, in Moldova, in Georgia, for all those in the Western Balkans who have been denied progress for far too long, we must be ready to extend Europe's hand as they each follow their own paths in a merit-based approach that respects the necessary criteria. We must be ready to face this new world and this new reality. And together we will be ready.
Colleagues, to renew our commitment to Europe, we must – in the words of that great European saint from Krakow, Karol Wojtyła – ‘be not afraid’. Not afraid to face down autocrats. Not afraid to live up to our promise. Not afraid to stand up for Europe. Not afraid to keep building a Union that works for all of us.
In 2016, Jonathan Sacks wrote: ‘A politics of hope is within reach. But to create it we will have to find ways of strengthening families and communities, building a culture of collective responsibility and insisting on an economics of the common good. This is no longer a matter of party politics. It is about the very viability of the freedom for which the West fought so long and hard. We need to construct a compelling narrative of hope that speaks to all of us, not some of us, and the time to begin is now.’
                  

(Applause)

Friends, we can regain the narrative of this great Union of ours. We can inspire new generations of Europeans. Because Europe is hope. Europe is belief. Europe is all of us. Europe remains the answer.

Vive l'Europe!

9.   Establishment of political groups

President. – The following political groups have been formed:






—


Group of the European People's Party: 188 members










—


Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament: 136 members










—


Patriots for Europe Group: 84 members










—


European Conservatives and Reformists Group: 78 members










—


Renew Europe Group: 77 members










—


Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance: 53 members










—


The Left Group: 46 members










—


Europe of Sovereign Nations Group: 25 members




There are also 32 non-attached Members of Parliament.
The statements concerning the establishment of political groups referred to in Rule 33(5) will be annexed to the minutes of this part-session.
10.   Election of Vice-Presidents of Parliament (deadline for submitting nominations)

President. – I move now to the deadline for Vice-President nominations for the election of the Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament. I propose setting the deadline for candidacies today at 13:30.
Candidacies should be lodged with the Deputy Secretary-General in office R00.101, in other words, the Presidency open-plan office in the Louise Weiss building.

(The sitting was suspended at 12:46)

11.   Resumption of the sitting

(The sitting resumed at 15:01)

12.   Election of Vice-Presidents of Parliament (announcement of nominations)

President. – Dear colleagues, the sitting is resumed.
I have received the following candidatures:






 


Katarina Barley










 


Klára Dostálová










 


Esteban González Pons










 


Martin Hojsík










 


Ewa Kopacz










 


Fabrice Leggeri










 


Javi López










 


Victor Negrescu










 


Younous Omarjee










 


Pina Picierno










 


Antonella Sberna










 


Christel Schaldemose










 


Nicolae Ștefănuță










 


Sabine Verheyen










 


Sophie Wilmès










 


Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik










 


Roberts Zīle










 


All the candidates have confirmed to me their consent to their candidatures and we shall now proceed to the vote.




13.   Election of Vice-Presidents of Parliament (first ballot)

President. – The tellers are the same as they were for the election of the President, and I would therefore ask them to take up position already by the ballot boxes, and they themselves will vote only at the end of the ballot.
Can I confirm that all the tellers are in the Chamber? Not yet? As we wait for them, I will explain to you the modalities of the election, and I would ask already for the distribution of the ballot papers and envelopes to start.
As the number of candidates exceeds the number of seats to be filled, we shall hold a secret ballot in accordance with Rule 15(1). Let me also remind Members of the provisions of Rule 17(1):

                  ‘The Vice-President shall then be elected on a single ballot. Those who on the first ballot, up to the number of 14, secure an absolute majority of the votes cast shall be declared to have been elected in order of the number of votes obtained. If the number of candidates is elected is less than the number of seats to be filled, a second ballot shall be held under the same conditions to fill the remaining seats. If a third ballot is necessary, a relative majority shall suffice for election to the remaining seats. In the event of a tie, the oldest candidates shall be declared to have been elected.’
               
Now this is important. When you vote, you tick the box beside the name of the candidate you wish to vote for. Do not touch the name. If you cross on the name, it is invalid.
There are 14 Vice-Presidents to be elected, so each member has a maximum of 14 votes. If a ballot paper has more than 14 votes, it will be declared void. I remind you that, in accordance with Rule 15(1), in the event of a single ballot for more than one officer, the ballot paper shall only be valid if more than half of the available votes have been cast. Therefore, since there are 14 seats for Vice-Presidents to be filled, you must vote for at least 8 candidates. If you vote for less, your ballot paper will be considered null and void.
If you need to change your vote, don't worry. Ask an usher for a new ballot paper and give the usher the old one, which will then be destroyed. If you mark your ballot paper in any other way other than necessary to cast your vote, or you vote for more than 14 candidates or less than eight, your ballot paper will be void.
Fold the ballot paper into four and place it into the envelope. And I remind you that if you wish to use one, there are voting booths that are situated at the entrance to the Chamber.
I confirm that all the tellers are present.

(The vote was taken)


President. – Just a quick reminder for those of you who haven't voted yet to go to the ballot box. We will close it in a couple of minutes. Also, I need to remind the tellers to vote.
I now declare the vote is closed. I would ask the tellers to proceed to room R01.101 for the count.
You will hear the bell ringing to indicate when the sitting is resumed. This will also be announced on the screens.

(The sitting was suspended at 15:38 for the votes to be counted)

14.   Resumption of the sitting

(The sitting resumed at 17:32)

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

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






 


Members voting: 701










 


Blank or void ballot papers: 36










 


Votes cast: 665










 


Absolute majority: 333




The votes were cast as follows:






 


Sabine Verheyen: 604










 


Ewa Kopacz: 572










 


Esteban González Pons: 478










 


Katarina Barley: 450










 


Pina Picierno: 405










 


Victor Negrescu: 394










 


Martin Hojsík: 393










 


Christel Schaldemose: 378










 


Javi López: 377










 


Sophie Wilmès: 371










 


Nicolae Ștefănuță: 347










 


Antonella Sberna: 323










 


Roberts Zīle: 306










 


Younous Omarjee: 272










 


Klára Dostálová: 214










 


Fabrice Leggeri: 209










 


Eva Zajączkowska-Hernik: 102










 


The following candidates have obtained an absolute majority of the votes cast: Sabine Verheyen, Ewa Kopacz, Esteban González Pons, Katarina Barley, Pina Picierno, Victor Negrescu, Martin Hojsík, Christel Schaldemose, Javi López, Sophie Wilmès, Nicolae Ștefănuță. I would like to congratulate them on their election.





(Applause)

We are not ready yet. Three seats remain to be filled in the election of the Vice-Presidents. The second ballot will be necessary. Unless there are any comments, I take it that the candidates in the first ballot are still standing. If there are no comments, the candidates in the first ballot will also stand in the second ballot.
The second ballot will take place at 18:00.

(The sitting was suspended at 17:36)

16.   Resumption of the sitting

(The sitting resumed at 18:00)

17.   Election of Vice-Presidents of Parliament (second ballot)

President. – I will remind you of the list of candidates for the second round, with the names in the order in which they will appear on the ballot sheet:






 


Klára Dostálová










 


Fabrice Leggeri










 


Younous Omarjee










 


Antonella Sberna










 


Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik










 


Roberts Zīle










 


We now proceed to the second ballot, so I would ask that the tellers take up their positions by the ballot boxes. While we are finding the tellers – because they are not all here – I would ask that the ballot papers and the envelopes start to be distributed now.




As the ballot papers and envelopes are being distributed, and the tellers are finding their way to the boxes, I will give you the rules.
Please mark the boxes corresponding to the candidates you wish to vote for. Since there are 3 seats that still need to be filled, in order for your vote to be valid you can only vote for a maximum of 3 candidates and for at least 2 candidates.
And here, as before, if you want to change your vote, ask an usher for a new ballot paper and give the usher the old one, which will then be destroyed. If you mark your ballot paper in any other way, or vote for more than 3 candidates or less than 2, your ballot paper will be void.
Fold the ballot paper into four and place it in the envelope.
I see the tellers are here.

(The vote was taken)


President. – Those of you who haven't voted, this is a last appeal for you to go.
The vote is closed. I ask the tellers to proceed to the room where they were before for the count.
The bell will ring when we resume and this will also be announced on the screen.

(The sitting was suspended at 18:27 for the votes to be counted)

18.   Resumption of the sitting

(The sitting resumed at 19:35)

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

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






 


Members voting: 674










 


Blank or void ballot papers: 65










 


Votes cast: 609










 


Absolute majority: 305




The votes were cast as follows:






 


Roberts Zīle: 490










 


Antonella Sberna: 314










 


Younous Omarjee: 311










 


Fabrice Leggeri: 177










 


Klára Dostálová: 116










 


Eva Zajączkowska-Hernik: 46










 


That means that Mr Roberts Zīle, Ms Antonella Sberna and Mr Younous Omarjee have obtained an absolute majority of the votes cast. On the basis of this second round, I declare them elected as Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament and I would like to congratulate them warmly on their election.




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.
20.   Election of Quaestors (deadline for submitting nominations)

President. – For the election of the Quaestors of the European Parliament, I propose to set the deadline for candidatures at 20:30 today. Candidatures should be lodged with the Deputy Secretary-General in the Presidency open-plan office in the Louise Weiss Building.
21.   Agenda of the next sitting

President. – The next sitting is tomorrow at 09:00.
22.   Closure of the sitting

(The sitting closed at 19:38)



ELI: 
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)