1:06 19 January 2022
Roberta Metsola, criticized for her anti-abortion position, becomes new president of the EP
Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola from the Group of the European People's Party has been elected as the new president of the European Parliament. Metsola was the favorite to take up the office and has served on a temporary basis since the death of former EP president David Sassoli. Left-wing MEPs criticize the anti-abortion stance of the new EP president.
A member of the European People's Party was one of the three candidates for president. In addition to her were also: Alice Bah Kuhnke from Sweden (Greens / EFA) and Sira Rego from Spain). Kosma Złotowski (PiS / ECR), MEP, withdrew his candidacy.
Out of 616 valid votes, as many as 458 were cast for Roberta Metsola (the absolute majority during this vote was 309 votes).
Metsola is consistently voting against any EP resolutions in favor of abortion and so are the majority of Maltese MEPs. Malta has the most restrictive abortion law in the EU. In this country, abortion is not legal at all.
