Race for the presidency of the European Parliament

Media sources reported in January 2017 on the race for the presidency of the European Parliament. The election was due to take place on the 17 January 2017

The Parliament's two main political groups both presented Italian candidates for the presidency - the EPP group put forward Antonio Tajani, while the S&D group presented Gianni Pittella. Liberal ALDE group's leader Guy Verhofstadt also announced he was running for the position.

In this context, the EPP group leaked the agreement it had signed with the S&D group in 2014 for power-sharing and thus effectively building a grand coalition.

As of the 16 January 2017 there were seven MEPs who had announced they were running for the post (in alphabetical order):

+ Eleonora Forenza (GUE/NGL, Italy)
+ Jean Lambert (Greens/EFA, UK)
+ Gianni Pittella (S&D, Italy)
+ Laurenţiu Rebega (ENF, Romania)
+ Helga Stevens (ECR, Belgium)
+ Antonio Tajani (EPP, Italy)
+ Guy Verhofstadt (ALDE, Belgium).

Piernicola Pedicini (EFDD, Italy) withdrew his candidacy on 11 January 2017. More MEPs may join the race before each ballot.

On the morning of the election Politico suggested that a deal between the EPP and ALDE would mean that Antonio Tajani would win the race to become President of the European Parliament.

ESO: Background information: MEPs in the frame to replace Martin Schulz http://www.europeansources.info/record/meps-in-the-frame-to-replace-martin-schulz/

Politico, 09.01.17: Manfred Weber fights back over Parliament presidency http://www.politico.eu/article/manfred-weber-fights-back-over-european-parliament-presidency/

EurActiv, 10.01.17: Tajani and Pittella neck and neck in race for Parliament presidency http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/tajani-and-pittella-neck-and-neck-in-race-for-parliament-presidencyk-in-race-for-parliament-chief/

EUObserver, 10.01.17: Centre-right reveals 2014 EU parliament deal https://euobserver.com/institutional/136489

Deutsche Welle, 10.01.17: Conservative leaks secret deal on European Parliament succession http://dw.com/p/2VY2F

EUObserver, 11.01.17: Weber: EU parliament needs coalition to keep out radicals https://euobserver.com/institutional/136495

Politico, 12.01.17: Surprise in the European Parliament: an election campaign http://www.politico.eu/article/surprise-in-the-european-parliament-fierce-election-campaign-brussels-strasbourg/

Politico, 11.01.17: Expand the power of MEPs, say candidates for Parliament president http://www.politico.eu/article/expand-the-power-of-meps-say-candidates-for-parliament-president/

ESO: Background information: Electing the European Parliament's President http://www.europeansources.info/record/electing-the-european-parliaments-president/

EurActiv, 16.01.17: Divided European Parliament prepares to elect new president http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/divided-european-parliament-to-elect-new-president/

European Parliament: Press Release, 13.01.17: All you need to know about the election of the new Parliament president http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20170109STO57511/

EurActiv, 16.01.17: Uncertainty as Parliament prepares to elect first post-coalition president http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/uncertainty-as-parliament-prepares-to-elect-first-post-coalition-president/

Politico, 17.01.17: Tajani to secure Parliament presidency with Liberal deal http://www.politico.eu/article/tajani-to-secure-parliament-presidency-with-liberal-deal/

EurActiv, 17.01.17: Liberals and anti-Europeans hold key to Parliament presidency http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/liberals-and-anti-europeans-hold-key-to-parliament-presidency/

EUObserver, 17.01.17: Liberals and centre-right unite in EU parliament https://euobserver.com/institutional/136563

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