Press Release

Antonio Tajani elected President of the European Parliament

MEPs elected Antonio Tajani on 17 January for a two-and-a-half-year term as head of the European Parliament.

According to his predecessor, Martin Schulz, the new President will have to face the following challenges: “Adapting Europe to globalisation, strengthening the rule of law and refining the balance between freedom and security”. COMECE will pay particular attention to these three issues.

COMECE welcomes the debate that took place during this election between members of the European Parliament, who are elected by European citizens by direct universal suffrage for a mandate of 5 years.

As the first Vice-President of the European Parliament in charge of dialogue with religions, Antonio Tajani (EPP, Italy) was particularly attentive and open to the concerns of the churches and he increased opportunities for encounters between religious communities and European institutions.

With this election, COMECE hopes to continue this “open, transparent and regular” dialogue on the basis of art. 17 of the Treaty of Lisbon, in order to enable our churches to provide a fair contribution to the construction of Europe.