Roberta Mitsula beat Alice Bah Konke in the presidential election

On the same day she turned 43, Roberta Mezzola was elected President of the European Parliament, the third woman to hold this position in the history of the European Union so far.

Roberta Mitsola represents the largest EPP group in Parliament, which includes Swedish M and KD. The outcome of the vote was somewhat certain after the two other major party groups, the Social Democratic Socialist Party and the Liberal Renewal, did not choose to nominate candidates. Ahead of Tuesday’s vote, the three groups reached an agreement that meant, among other things, that the Social Democrats would have another vice president, Politico reports.

Mitsula received 458 votes. Alice Bah Konke of the Greens, who represents the Greens, ranked second, 101. This is more than the number of Green Party members in Parliament (73). Thus Alice Bah Konke received support from members of other party groups.

– She’s an incredibly talented and experienced person, but I think it’s hard to have a president who doesn’t clearly advocate for women’s right to make decisions about their own bodies, Alice Bah Konke tells TT.

The environmental tip refers to Roberta Mezzola’s position on abortions. In Catholic Malta, abortion is prohibited. During her tenure, Roberta Mezzola voted against statements regarding free abortion. On the other hand, she has defended human freedom and the rights of, for example, LGBT people.

The left-wing candidate, Spain’s Serra Rego, received 57 votes, also more than the members of her party group (39).

The chair traditionally alternates between EPP and S&D. Roberta Mezzola succeeds Social Democrat David Sassoli, who recently passed away shortly after the end of his term.

The women who previously held the position of president are the French sisters Simone Veil (1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999-2002).

Read more:

Why do you want to be president, Alice Bah Konke?

European Parliament President David Sassoli dies