CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENT
(Strasbourg) A European Parliament “representing the differences” of Europe and with “decision-making capacity” to meet citizens’ expectations. David Maria Sassoli, candidate for President of the European Parliament from the Socialists and Democrats Group, gave a speech that focused first on the role of the institution (elected by universal suffrage) which represents citizens in the EU political world; then a number of priorities to be addressed at EU level were highlighted, including economic growth, employment, climate, migration, citizens’ rights. Europe “can only be stronger if it has a parliament which is stronger”. The high turnout in May, Sassoli said, shows that there is interest in the European Parliament and in the EU: “Voters said that they believe in this institution and in democracy”. This Parliament must be the “Democratic House of Europe”. If Sassoli were elected, his priority would be: “to restore mutual trust between citizens” and EU institutions. Finally, he cited Monnet: “Nothing is possible without men; nothing lasts without institutions”.
