About: European Parliament President
The Brief: Can a weak president make the European Parliament stronger?
Antonio Tajani’s election as president of the European Parliament was not greeted with much enthusiasm.
Socialists and Democrats push for ‘progressive’ coalition
Guy Verhofstadt’s decision to form an alliance with the European People’s Party (EPP) and back their candidate has triggered strong reactions on the left, while the Socialists and Democrats have promised an “alternative progressive solution”.
Verhofstadt drops out of EU Parliament race, backs EPP
The right-wing European People’s Party (EPP) and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) decided to form a pro-European coalition that will support EPP candidate for the Parliament presidency Antonio Tajani. EURACTIV.com reports from Strasbourg.
The Brief: Commission fails Trump’s challenge
Donald Trump has predicted the crumbling of and eventual collapse of the EU.
The Brief: The Hof plots a hitjob on Pittella
Guy “the Hof” Verhofstadt has entered the fray to become the next European Parliament president.
Verhofstadt makes candidacy for European Parliament presidency official
Guy Verhoftstadt officially entered the race to succeed Martin Schulz as president of the European Parliament today (6 January), a decision which could see him step down as the chief MEP on Brexit.
The Brief: Renzi’s Roman roulette referendum
Italians have the chance to give Matteo Renzi, their prime minister, a bloody nose in less than two weeks when he holds his reform referendum.
The Brief: Schulz gives up European Parliament to return to politics
Martin Schulz is giving up the European Parliament to return to politics.
Schulz brushes off National Front fraud counter-claim
European Parliament President Martin Schulz today (13 March) brushed off accusations of hypocrisy made by Marine Le Pen’s National Front, after he reported the far-right party to anti-fraud investigators. InfographicPromoted content
![INFOGRAPHIC: Who is who in the European Parliament? [Version 2.0]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/11/parliament-2014-2019-112014-en-v02.png)
INFOGRAPHIC: Who is who in the European Parliament? [Version 2.0]
After a first plenary session and a series committee meetings in early July 2014, key positions were distributed in the European Parliament. The European Parliament’s 22 committees held their first meeting on Monday (7 July). On the agenda was the election of committee chairs and vice-chairs. The week before, MEPs gathered for the Parliament's first plenary session in Strasbourg, and elected a president, vice-presidents and quaestors. They also appointed the leader(s) of their faction. The final leading positions were settled after one Vice-President, Corina Cretu, was selected to take up a Commissioner role in Jean-Claude Juncker's EU executive team. Find an overview of the Parliament's key faces for 2014-2019 in our infographic.
Eurosceptics make controversial return to EU Parliament
The new European Parliament was in session for the first time on Tuesday, 1 July. There was a record number of Eurosceptic MEPs, making a controversial return after their victory in May’s EU elections. EURACTIV France reports from Strasbourg.
French opposition eyes EU Parliament Presidency in 2017
MEP Alain Lamassoure has been appointed to lead France's centre-right UMP delegation to the European Parliament in Strasbourg this week and could use this position as a springboard to succeed Martin Schulz as President of the EU Assembly in 2017. EURACTIV France reports. VideoPromoted content
Farage and eurosceptics turn their backs on European anthem at new Parliament’s opening
The UK Independence Party and France’s Front National on Tuesday staged protests at the opening of the new European Parliament in Strasbourg, where Martin Schulz was elected for a second term as European Parliament President.
Secret ballot and backroom deals to elect next EU Parliament chief
The President of the European Parliament will be elected by secret ballot today, 1 July. Martin Schulz is the favourite to beat the three other candidates, having already secured a coalition of 479 MEPs. EURACTIV France reports.