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Martin Schulz elected President of the European Parliament
Press Release - Strasbourg - 17-01-2012
MEPs elected Martin Schulz to be the new European Parliament president with 387 votes in favour out of 670 cast. The 56-year old German MEP will lead the European parliament for two and half years, until the beginning of the next legislature in July 2014.
Read more : Martin Schulz elected President of the European Parliament
Inaugural speech by Martin Schulz following his election as President of the European Parliament
Speeches - Strasbourg - 17-01-2012
Thank you for this overwhelming show of confidence. Prior to today's election, most of you probably saw me simply as the chair of a political group, one other than your own, in the European Parliament. I am honoured by the trust which you have nevertheless seen fit to place in me today. I will do everything I can not to betray that trust and to give our Parliament a powerful voice. I intend to carry out the office of President of the European Parliament in such a way that those who voted for me today can take pride in having done so, and those who did not vote for me today are pleasantly surprised. I will be the President of all Members of the European Parliament and defend your rights!
I also owe a debt of gratitude to you, President Buzek. You were the first President of an EU institution to emerge from the independence movements in Eastern Europe. By virtue of that fact, you have come to symbolise the triumph of democracy.
Read more : Inaugural speech by Martin Schulz following his election as President of the European Parliament