Who will be the next European Parliament President? Latest odds on the election
ANTONIO Tajani looks set to become the next European Parliament President after Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt dropped out the race at the last minute.
Verhofstadt won't stand as European Parliament president
The Liberal Belgian former Prime Minister has dropped out of the election race to the shock of the European Parliament.
Mr Tajani is now expected to secure the presidency after having reached an agreement with Mr Verhofstadt and his liberal bloc the ALDE.
The Italian politician won the first round of the ballot and there is due to be a second round this afternoon. LATEST RESULTS
Guy Verhofstadt drops out of race against Gianni Pittella and Antonio Tajani
Mr Tajani is the 1/2 favourite to win, followed by Mr Pittella at 7/4 odds, according to the latest odds from Ladbrokes on Monday.
The Italian rivals represent the two largest political powers in the European Parliament.
European Parliament Vice President Mr Tajani is from the European People’s Party (EPP) bloc, which has 217 seats.
Mr Pittella is President of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats (S&D), which has 189 seats in the European Parliament.
Behind the three frontrunners, there is Belgian politician and disability campaigner Helga Stevens from the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).
Guy Verhofstadt, outgoing President Martin Schulz and candidate Gianni Pittella
Brexit fallout dominates debate in European Parliament
Italian left-wing politician Eleonora Forenza, from the European United Left-Nordic Green Left, is also in the running for the job.
British Green MEP Jean Lambert, from the Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA), and Romanian politician Laurenţiu Rebega, from the Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF), are seen as outsiders.
Outgoing President Martin Schulz is he stepping down to take part in German politics ahead of the federal election in the autumn.
Breakdown of seats in the European Parliament
Ahead of the election today, here are the latest odds from Ladbroke as of Monday January 16:
- Antonio Tajani (EPP): 1/2
- Gianni Pittella (S&D): 7/4
- Helga Stevens: 25/1
- Eleonora Forenza: 50/1
- Laurentiu Rebega (ENF): 100/1
- Jean Lambert (Greens/EFA): 100/1