Electing the President of the European Parliament
Responsibilities
Elected for a renewable term of two-and-a-half years, the President represents the European Parliament when dealing with other EU institutions and the outside world.
The President also directs Parliament’s activities, chairs plenary sessions and declares the EU budget finally adopted.
At the beginning of every European Council meeting, the President of the European Parliament sets out Parliament’s point of view as regards the items on the agenda and other subjects.
Election
Parliament’s President is elected by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in a secret ballot. This takes place in the first plenary session after the elections.
Political groups or groups of at least 36 MEPs can put forward their nominations for the role.
The candidate who receives an absolute majority of the votes cast gets the post.
If none of the candidates receives an absolute majority after three rounds of voting, the top two candidates compete in a final ballot with the person receiving the most votes declared the new President of the European Parliament.
Immediately after the vote, MEPs will elect the 14 Vice-Presidents and five Quaestors.
Current President
Roberta Metsola was re-elected as President of the European Parliament for a second term of two-and-a-half years in July 2024.