EP President Election

Created: January 2017 EP President Election

Policy Context – The Contenders – Analysis

Policy Context

While the European Parliament – currently headed by Martin Schulz MEP (S&D, Germany) – is elected for a five-year term, the President, the Vice-Presidents and the Quaestors are elected by their peers for a two-and-a-half year period. The new President of the European Parliament is expected to be elected during the first session of the Plenary for 2017, on 17 and 18 January.

The procedure for election of the European Parliament President is set in Rule 16 of the Rules of

Procedure to the European Parliament. The Rule stipulates that the President shall be elected first, through secret ballot in Plenary. The vote can take up to four rounds. The candidate has to receive an absolute majority of votes during the first three rounds, in order to be successful. In the case this majority has not been met after the three rounds are completed, the two candidates with the most votes are challenged in the fourth and final ballot. Should a tie occur in this fourth ballot then the oldest candidate is elected.

There has been a long-lasting tradition of the EPP and S&D Groups splitting the two two-and-a-half years terms between them. However, the head of the S&D Group Gianni Pittella this time decided to break this so-called ‘power-sharing agreement’ by announcing his candidacy in November 2016.

The Contenders

Antonio Tajani (EPP, Italy)

Antonio Tajani has been Vice-Chair of the European People's Party since 2002 and is a member of the EPP Group Bureau which prepares the party's position for European Council summits. He has been an MEP since 2014, having also previously held a seat in the Parliament between 1994-2008. He is a member of the Parliament's Bureau and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.

During the Barroso II Commission administration, he appointed Commissioner for Transport (2008-2010) and later Commissioner for Industry and

Entrepreneurship (2010-2014).

Domestically, Tajani is a member of Forza Italia (FI) – a party which he co-founded – and has been a member of its executive committee since 2014. He did, however, leave the organisation between 2009- 2013. He led FI's delegation to the European Parliament between 1999-2008.

Before entering politics he had a military career, first as an Officer in the Italian Air Force, then as an Air Defence Controller and later as Head of the Operations Room monitoring air traffic. He has also

had a career in the media, variously as a journalist and Editor “We are working to find a at Il Settimanale and Il Giornale and as a radio news presenter. consensus, a large enough

consensus to allow this Parliament Tajani has a degree in Law from La Sapienza University, to guarantee political stability to Rome. He speaks English, French, and Spanish in addition to allow the Commission to continue his native Italian. to work, but at the same time a Parliament that is always closer to

the citizens”.

Gianni Pittella (S&D, Italy)

Gianni Pittella has been an MEP since his election in 1999. In 2014 he became President of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D) group after receiving 96% of votes, having already been Vice- Chair since 1999. He is also a member of the S&D Group Bureau.

In his time as an MEP he has served on several committees – namely the Committee on Budgets, Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, and Committee on Culture and Education – and been part of EU “Many things within the European delegations to a number of European neighbourhood states. Union don’t work, and are going to He was Vice-President of the European Parliament between be changed. The economic policy is 2009-2014. suffocated by austerity which drives down consumption and Pittella began his career in politics on the Basilicata Regional destroys jobs. The undue shyness Council and was later elected to the Italian Parliament to of national governments, all too represent the Democratic Party in 1996. Before entering often reluctant to accept politics he studied medicine at the University of Naples transferring sovereignty, which is, Federico II. Shortly after graduating he became General in fact, necessary. The weight of a Secretary of the Young Socialists. European bureaucracy, which at times appears designed to He is the author of several books on reforming Europe. He is discourage creativity in business also visiting professor at the University of East Anglia's and amongst the citizens.” London Academy of Diplomacy and president of PrimaPersona, a political association which promotes political participation, and the co-founder of the Centre for Mediterranean Europe Studies.

“The main tragedy in Europe is unemployment. Work is not only a source of livelihood, but it’s the key to obtaining freedom, autonomy and independence -rights which everyone should have in life. In the next legislature, all efforts must be concentrated in creating and defending jobs. In order to do this, it is necessary to overcome the suicidal approach, pursued at a European level over the past years. The death, the implementation that is of economic policies which have reduced, indiscriminately, public spending and investments, is the main cause of the current stagnation in Europe.”

Guy Verhofstadt (ALDE, Belgium)

Guy Verhofstadt is the leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for

Europe Group (ALDE), a position he has held since becoming elected as an MEP

in the 2009 European election. During this time he has also served on the Committee on Constitutional Affairs. In September 2016 he was appointed head of the European Parliament's negotiations for the UK leaving the EU by the Conference of Presidents. “I believe we have to reform our

institutions thoroughly: make them Prior to his election to the European Parliament, Mr Verhofstadt served as focus on the important things and Prime Minister of Belgium for nearly a decade (1999-2008). render them more efficient. I This made him the first Liberal PM since 1884. A Member of believe that it is only through a Parliament since 1982, he was previously Deputy Prime reformed and more efficient Europe Minister and Minister of Budget under the Wilfried Martens that we will regain sovereignty in administration. the globalised world we live in.”

“I want to fix the economy by Politically active from a young age, he was President of his setting the conditions right for the party at just 29. Whilst studying Law at the University of private sector and by redirecting the Ghent he was President of the Liberal Flemish Students EU budget to large-scale, innovative Association. projects with a clear return on “I believe civil liberties cannot be investment.” Mr Verhofstadt is taken for granted and that we the founder of the should fight for them. Under the federalist Spinelli Group. He is a board member of both the guise of ‘subsidiarity’, European Institute of Public Administration and Friends of conservatives and eurosceptics say Europe. He has called for greater European cooperation and that civil liberties and human rights integration to tackle issues such as the Eurozone crisis and should be left to the member states. migration. I believe that the rise in extremism and populism should be a concern “[The European Parliament] will play a central role in for all Europeans. There is no such Article 50 and any future EU-UK agreements.” thing as a partially free Europe.”

Helga Stevens (ECR, Belgium)

Born in 1968, Helga Stevens is a Vice-President of the ECR Group and the only

deaf Member of the European Parliament. She’s been a member of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Committee since her first election as an MEP in 2014.

Among other activities, Ms Stevens was Rapporteur for a report on the

implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), with special regard to the Concluding Observations of the UN CRPD Committee.

She started her political career in 2004 as a member of the “I am running because I believe the Flemish Parliament for the Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (NVA). European Parliament, as the directly She was also elected at the Belgian Senate in 2007. She was elected assembly, needs to be far subsequently re-elected to both seats in 2009 and 2010 more open and representative of the respectively. whole EU. I have seen how all major decisions are made in a Prior to her political responsibilities, Ms Stevens worked as backroom by men from just few an attorney in training (1994-1996) and held various countries. Europe is wide and responsibilities at the European Union of the Deaf (EUD), diverse, and that diversity needs to until she became its Director (1996-2004). She is a former be represented and every country’s President of the EUD (2005-2007). elected representatives should be equal.” A graduate from the Catholic University of Leuven and the University of California in Berkeley, she was the first Belgian deaf person to receive a law degree.

“I want to show that it is possible to have a European Parliament President that represents and unites the whole house and all of Europe’s representatives, so that we can deliver an open, transparent and effective parliament that will better connect with European citizens.”

Eleonora Forenza (GUE/NGL, Italy)

Born in 1976, Eleonora Forenza has “Self-determination is the key word been a member of the Committee on to my candidacy for the European International Trade (INTA) since her Parliament presidency. GUE/NGL election to the European Parliament in has put forward a feminist 2014. candidate to the European Parliament presidency, as we Among other activities, Ms Forenza believe that it is possible to rewrite was the Rapporteur on the policies for women and men from a implementation of the 2010 feminist point of view. Self- recommendations of the European Parliament on social and determination for women, men and environmental standards, human rights and corporate all the people.” responsibility, a Parliament resolution adopted in 2016.

Ms Forenza started her political activities as a member of the “The second key word is Communist Refoundation Party in 1996. She subsequently democracy. The Italian referendum joined the national instances of the party and today sits as its showed us how people want to spokesperson for culture and communications. protect democracy from governance.

A few days ago, we voted at the She has a specific interest in gender equality issues. As such, plenary session of the European she is also a member of the Italian collective Femministe Nove Parliament some changes to the and sits as a Rules of Procedure which went in substitute on the “The third key word is alternative. favour of the big parliamentary Committee on An alternative to the ‘grand groups. We believe democracy is Women's Rights & coalition’ (EPP and S&D) in the fundamental to the functioning of Gender Equality Parliament which favours austerity the European Parliament and the (FEMM). policies. All those who have European Union itself.” supported the ‘grand coalition’ in She is a graduate in the past cannot present themselves classics from the University of Bari Aldo Moro. She also as an alternative to the ‘grand earned a PhD in Italian studies from the same university in coalition’ today. For us, alternative 2013. She is a researcher in political sciences at the Roma Tre means, first and foremost, social University. justice against austerity.”

“The fourth key word is participation. GUE/NGL are representatives but also activists in social movements. We believe representation should not be limited only to governance but should include citizen’s participation.”

Jean Lambert (Greens/EFA, UK)

Born in 1950, Jean Lambert became an “I will be a candidate to defend the MEP in 1999. She has been re-elected at core values on which the EU was every election since then. Ms Lambert founded and to represent a more currently sits on the Committee on equal society. I believe the Employment and Social Affairs Parliament needs a more human, (EMPL). less bureaucratic face and to connect more with citizens – the UK Her main areas of interest include referendum result shows this is democracy, human rights, the rights of something long overdue.” refugees, anti-discrimination and social inclusion. Recently, she was the Rapporteur on a Parliament resolution on ‘the Green Employment Initiative: Tapping into the job creation potential of the green economy’.

“I believe I am well-placed to In 2007, she attacked the British decision to opt out of the EU explain the importance of what we Working Time Directive, arguing that the long hours worked have built in the EU and the role it by Britons were damaging social and family life, as well as can have as a bastion of human physical and mental health. rights and action on climate change in this world that faces so many Ms Lambert is also committed to working towards improved challenges, from climate change, to measures on animal protection alongside her fellow Green growing inequality and instability.”

MEPs — including highlighting the issues of live animal transport, cosmetics testing, and medical experimentation on “Greens believe the UK should chimpanzees. continue to have a close relationship with its European neighbours. The support of Greens She initially joined the Ecology Party, a precursor of today's British Green Party, in 1977, and held numerous positions of from across Europe for a British influence before her election to the European Parliament. candidate is a symbol of the ongoing partnership approach we

With a degree in Modern Languages from University College, want to see between Britain and the

rest of the EU.” Cardiff, Ms Lambert went on to become a secondary school teacher in Chingford, East London, prior to and concurrently with pursuing a career in politics.

Piernicola Pedicini (EFDD, Italy)

Piernicola Pedicini is an Italian national and a member of the 5 Star Movement, as well as of the EFDD political group of the European Parliament, where he acts as the coordinator of the Environment, Health and Food Safety (ENVI) committee. He is a substitute member of the Development (DEVE), Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and Fisheries (PECH) committees. He is also the Vice-Chair of the European Parliament delegation to the African Caribbean Pacific. “The candidacy of five star Among other activities, Mr Pedicini movement spokesperson has a has been the Rapporteur for the report on "safer healthcare strong, symbolic value in how our in Europe: improving patient safety and fighting movement has become a significant, antimicrobial resistance", as well as a Shadow Rapporteur of unique and anti-establishment the proposal for a regulation as regards information force in Italian politics. exchange, early warning system and risk assessment Furthermore, we are the political procedure on new psychoactive substances. vehicle that can guarantee elections of an impartial nature, with respect He started his political career in 2014, when he was elected to equal rules for all and protection as a Member of the European Parliament. Prior to his of minorities” membership in the European Parliament he worked as a Researcher at the European Institute of Oncology, as well as a Health director at the Scientific Research Institute of the Regional Cancer Hospital of Rionero in Vulture.

Analysis

The numbers

As the Grand Coalition now seems to have vanished, both EPP and S&D might turn to right-wing and left-wing smaller Groups respectively to garner a majority.

The EPP Group is the largest political group of the European Parliament with 216 MEPs. However, to get elected, the EPP would need to win the votes of other Groups, including the ECR and EFDD Groups. On the other hand, with 'only' 189 MEPs, the S&D would need to secure a broad majority ranging from ALDE to the Greens and GUE/NGL Groups.

With the numbers showing a relatively split Parliament, one party, namely ALDE, could stand to benefit as the kingmaker of this election.

Politics

A number of reasons may lie behind the decision by S&D leader Gianni Pittella to break the political agreement with EPP which has now been in place since 2012, perhaps the main one being that Mr

Pittella believes he can actually win the bid.

Perhaps a decisive factor will be ALDE’s leader Guy Verhofstadt’s decision to support either of the two groups. Despite his rather conservative background, he currently seems to endorse the views of the S&D, in particular with regards to the change of emphasis away from austerity policies. However, it remains to be seen to what extent his latest merger attempt with Italian populist party Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S) will threaten his credibility in running for the EP’s highest post.

Another important factor to look at is what stance the future ex-EP President Martin Schulz and Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will take in the campaign. Both politicians, who are known to maintain close ties, might decide to support Mr Verhofstadt who, like Mr Schulz, has the capacity to secure voting majorities within his group and beyond. However, Mr Schulz may also decide to support Mr Tajani, following EPP leader Manfred Weber’s complimentary comments that he should not be criticised as he showed continued support for the Grand Coalition agreement.

Geography

With four contenders from Italy, two from Belgium and one from the UK, the election seems to be a two-sided affair between representatives of 'Old Europe' and younger, Southern Europe.

Depending on how strongly this division influences the process, ALDE’s candidate could very well come out on top as not only a representative of Old Europe but also as a supporter of less austerity. The fact that he comes from Old Europe could also help him earn support from both the Commission and EP President.

Political Balance in the Institutions

While Mr Pittella has claimed that the power-sharing agreement with EPP was null and void due to the appointment of Donald Tusk as European Council President in the end of 2014, it would not be the first time that all three institutions end up in the hands of the same political party. From 2010- 2012, Messrs Barroso, van Rompuy and Buzek were heading the Commission, Council and Parliament respectively.