Debate: Short presentations by the candidates for election to the office of the President
Date: TUESDAY, 18 JANUARY 2022
Speaker: Roberta Metsola
Political group: PPE
Country: Poland
Language: EN

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  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.