Image: European Union
Roberta Metsola returns to lead European Parliament with backing of 562 of 699 MEPs
Roberta Metsola has been re-elected as president of the European Parliament, and has used her first speech to say the EU needs to invest in research.
The Maltese MEP (pictured centre) said on 16 July that her ambition, after securing the backing of 562 out of 699 MEPs who voted on the presidency, was to make Europe a “better place by doubling down on [its] 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,” Metsola said.
Her speech came as the Council of the EU published its plan to cut the proposed 2025 budget of the EU’s research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe, by €400 million. The Parliament will agree its stance on the budget later this year.
Need to cut red tape
Metsola also said there was a need to cut back on unnecessary regulation and bureaucracy, to attract and retain talent. “The successes that our people remember the most are the ones where Europe has simplified their lives,” she said.
Europe should also provide “real solutions on climate”, she continued, adding: “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.”
Iliana Ivanova, European commissioner for R&I, congratulated Metsola on her reappointment on X, writing: “Best wishes for a successful term!”
Metsola has been president of the European Parliament since January 2022, and was re-elected for another two and a half years following parliamentary elections of MEPs that took place across Europe in June.
Her return to the role preceded a vote on the proposed re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as president of the European Commission, which is set to take place on 17 July and is expected to be a much closer result.