BRUSSELS:  Lawmaker Maltese Roberta Metsola has been elected as the third woman president of the European Parliament (EP). The 43-year-old lawyer triumphed in a landslide victory. In the remote secret vote, she received an absolute majority of 458 ballots out of 690 polled, according to the state news report.

Metsola defeated Alice Bah Kuhnke of the Greens, who received 101 votes, and Sira Rego of the Left, who received 57 votes. She  has been a member of the European Parliament since 2013, and has served as first vice president since November 2020. She studied European law. She succeeds David Sassoli, who died last week at the age of 65, but had already stated that he would not seek re-election.

Metsola promised to constantly fight up for Europe and its common ideals of democracy, decency, justice, solidarity, equality, rule of law, and fundamental rights in her first speech following the election.

"I will always speak up for Europe in honour of David Sassoli's presidency," she stated. "I want people to rekindle their passion and conviction in our initiative." A desire to make our shared place safer, more equitable, and just." Metsola stated that she will work to bring Europe closer to its citizens.

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