Juncker’s crony Antonio Tajani tipped to become Euro Parliament President TODAY
ANOTHER crony from Jean-Claude Juncker’s EU party is tipped to be the new President of the European Parliament as Antonio Tajani won the first two ballots.
Antonio Tajani, looks likely to become the next President of the European Parliament
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Antonio Tajani is tipped to takeover from Martin Schulz as the next President of the European Parliament as he took a strong lead in the first ballot.
Mr Tajani took 274 votes, out of 683 cast in the first round, giving him a clear lead against his nearest rival Gianni Pittella who secured 183 votes.
In the second round Mr Tajani increased the number of votes he received by three, to gain 287 but Mr Pittella closed the gap and gained 200 votes in the second round.
The 63-year-old is representing the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), which is the largest party in the EU, and currently holds presidencies for the European Commission and European Council.
Its leader is Jean-Claude Juncker.
European Parliament President Martin Schulz in Strasbourg
Mr Tajani was one of the founders of the Forza Italia party in 1994 and served under Silvio Berlusconi in his first government from 1994.
He is currently a vice president of the EU parliament and previously held the position of European Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship.
Antonio Tajani could be the new President of the European Parliament
This [parliament] really would never work if the two major parties won’t work together, because it would reinforce the extremes
It seems though that the socialist candidate Gianni Pittella, 58, the leader of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats - the second largest political grouping in the parliament - is seen as the outsider.
The final round of voting will take place later today (Tuesday) in a secret ballot with Mr Schulz meeting the two main candidates.
Mr Tajani is the favourite, primarily because the EPP has 217 seats in the parliament to the S&D’s 189.
The socialist candidate Gianni Pittella could replace Martin Schulz
Commentators indicate that Mr Pittella’s decision to end the coalition between his party, the EPP and the ALDE group could have scuppered his chances of taking the top job.
The Italian press has reported that Mr Pittella will not cast any votes for EPP candidates.
In the past the two parties have agreed to split their votes between candidates.
The European Parliament building in Strasbourg
EPP Chairman Manfred Weber has accused the S&D of ‘bad faith’ for reneging on a 2014 deal in which the presidency was meant to go to the centre-right after Mr Schulz’s term, which he said represented “a partnership against Eurosceptics [and] extremists in this chamber”.
He is due to meet Mr Pittella at around 5.30pm and Mr Tajani at around the time of the final vote.
There is a real chance though that the parliament could become ineffective as the coalitions between the various groupings are falling apart because the bloc is struggling to reach an agreement over various issues such as migration, security, banking and energy policy.
Outgoing EU Parliament President Martin Schulz
On top of that there is the question of how the European Union deals with the upcoming Brext negotiations.
One senior commission official told the Financial Times: “This [parliament] really would never work if the two major parties won’t work together, because it would reinforce the extremes.”
Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, a Liberal former Prime Minister of Belgium, has this morning sensationally pulled out of the race as he fought against embarrassing odds.
The liberal candidate Guy Verhofstadt speaking in Athens
Mr Verhofstadt suffered a blow earlier this week when liberal MEP’s rejected a proposed link to form an alliance with Beppe Grillo, the former comedian behind Italy’s populist Five Star movement.
Along with the three main candidates four other people are standing to takeover from Mr Schulz.
They are: Helga Stevens, 48, for the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR); Eleonora Forenza, 40, for the European United Left–Nordic Green Left (GUE-NGL); Jean Lambert, 66, for the Greens/European Free Alliance and Laurentiu Rebega, 30 representing Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF).
European Parliament President Martin Schulz (left) talking with the EPP's Antonio Tajani
Manfred Weber, the Chairman of the EPP
Whatever the outcome in the European Parliament, Martin Schulz is on his way out
The result of the first ballot is expected at around 11.30am.
Mr Rebega spoke first ahead of the first vote and said that the Brexit referendum had "serious implications" for the EU.
He said: "We all want parliament to play a greater role. We are against any tranference of powers from nations to a supra-national state."
"We call for transparent reform of this chamber, in favour of citizens."
MEPs gather at the European Parliament
Mrs Lambert said the Brexit deal must be a "win-win outcome for everyone and does not hinder the European Union".
She added that change was necessary in the parliament.
Mrs Forenza said that Europe's security policeies have allowed turned Europe's borders into a "deadly border". She added that she was a feminist and a feminist could make all the difference from the "jacket and ties" that dominated the parliament.
Mrs Stevens stated that "an old boys club" dominated the parliament a situation which left many out in the cold. She also said she would end "backroom dealing".
Voting in the European Parliament
Gianni Pittella speaking at the European Parliament election
Helga Stevens is standing as a candidate for President in the European Parliament
Eleonora Forenza representing the United-Left, Greens
Mr Pittella vowed to to create a braver parliament and to ensure that a 'grand coalition' would never happen again in the parliament and he would encourage more diversity and to create a "space where everyone can debate".
Mr Tajani reinforced his support for Europe but added "we need to change". He added that parliament needed a president not a prime minister. Speaking about the upcoming Brexit negotiations he said "a balanced approach" was important as the United Kingdom still had a "major part to play" within Europe.
Guy Verghofstadt, who had withdrawn from the election
The ballot is secret and may last up to four rounds.
Candidates may withdraw and new ones may enter the contest before the second and third ballot.
The outcome of the first round is expected to be announced soon after 11.00am.
If no candidate wins an absolute majority of valid votes cast in the first three ballots, the two best-scoring candidates in the third round will go through to a fourth round, in which the president will be elected by a simple majority.
European Parliament candidate Jean Lambert
MEPs begin the first round of voting
Front National leaders Marine Le Pen is all smiles during the European Parliament election
Scottish Ian Duncan MEP backs Helga Stevens
Reaction to Guy Verhofstadt dropping out of the race
EU President Jean-Claude Juncker is yet to make a Twitter post since January 12.
Social Democrat MEP and Vice President of the Progressives Tweeted: "From flirting with Beppe Grillo to supporting Berlusconi in less than a week."
With Mr Verhofstadt pulling out of the race the way was effectively left clear for Mr Tajani, a former spokesman for Mr Berlusconi, to assume the top job as a deal was struck between two of the institutions's largest political groupings.
A pact was struck between the centre-right group - the European People's Party - and the liberals, who were led by Mr Verhofstadt.
The two groups are the largest and fourth largest respectively in the parliament.
The deal struck is believed to focus on a deal to create a "reflection group" which will look at the future of the EU as well as a new committee for EU police co-operation.
In giving their support, the liberals have secured that Mr Verhofstadt will definitely be the parliament's key Brexit representative in the upcoming talks with the UK.
Outgoing European Parliament President Martin Schulz
Kathleen Van Brempt's Twitter message
The European Conservatives and Reformists, a UK-dominated alliance - the parliament's third largest group - has continued to support its candidate Mrs Stevens but looks likely to become 'kingmaker' as the voting continues.
Should Tajani become President it will mean the centre-right completely dominate all the top jobs in the EU.
Both Mr Juncker and the European council leader Donald Tusk are from the EPP.
Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, and Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the head of the eurogroup stand on a centre-left platform.
Voting in the first ballot for President of the European Parliament
The first round ballot sees Tajani in the lead
MEP Roger Helmer checks his mobile
Antonio Tajani took a clear lead in the first ballot, picking up a sizeable 274 votes, out of 683 cast but it is not enough for an out-right win.
A second ballot was held at 1pm.
Mr Tajani won 274 of the 683 votes cast, opening up a strong lead over centre-left candidate and fellow Italian Gianni Pittella who had 183.
The EPP's Antonio Tajani looks to be the next President of the European Parliament
Four other candidates had scores between 43 and 77. If no candidate in the 751-seat chamber has a majority of votes cast after two more ballots the top two will contest a decisive fourth round on Tuesday evening.
All six candidates remained the same for the second ballot.
The full results of the second ballot in the European Parliament election
Mr Tajani has won the second round with 287 votes with Mr Pittella gaining 200 votes.
Mrs Forenza managed 42, Mrs Lamberts gained 51, Mrs Stevens picked up 66 and Mr Rebega gained 45.
The third round of voting starts at 5pm, local time.
Gianni Pittella has written to Gaby Zimmer looking for an alliance with the Left
Mr Pittella has reportedly written to Gaby Zimmer, the President of the GUE-NGL Group looking for an allinace with the Left.
In the voting, Mr Pittella is currently trailing the leader Mr Tajani by 87 votes with a third round ballot due to start at 5pm (local time).