Image copyright AFP Image caption Italy's Antonio Tajani will be the next head of the European Parliament

Italian conservative Antonio Tajani has been elected the new president of the European Parliament.

Mr Tajani, 63, is a former spokesman for Italy's Silvio Berlusconi and an ex-European commissioner.

He defeated another Italian, Gianni Pitella, and will take over from Germany's Martin Schulz.

The European Parliament has the power to block or amend EU laws, and will have the final say on whether to approve a Brexit deal with the UK.

Mr Tajani secured 351 votes, against 282 for Mr Pittella, a socialist. The contest ran to the maximum four rounds.

Image copyright EPA Image caption Mr Tajani dedicated his victory to victims of August's deadly earthquake in Italy

Mr Tajani's European People's Party (EPP) group benefited from a new coalition with the parliament's liberals, the ALDE, who hope to curb the influence of anti-EU populists.

ALDE leader Guy Verhofstadt withdrew his candidacy at the last minute, paving the way for Mr Tajani's victory.

The EPP candidate dedicated his win to those who died in August's earthquake in central Italy, and all victims of terror attacks.

"We must devote our attention to all those who are in tough living conditions," he said in a short speech.

The election of Mr Tajani puts the centre-right in charge of the three main EU institutions - the European Commission, Council and Parliament.

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The EPP is the biggest group in parliament, followed by the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group which fielded Mr Pitella. The ALDE liberals are the fourth-largest group.

Mr Pitella congratulated Mr Tajani in a statement, saying it had been a long time since the European Parliament had elected a president "in a fully transparent and open competition without any pre-arranged deals."

He said the socialists would "constructively oppose" the "new conservative block".

Martin Schulz is leaving the European Parliament to return to German national politics.

The role of the president grew in significance during his tenure, and his successor will have to sign off the deal for Britain's EU departure - probably by late 2018 or early 2019.

Mr Tajani has said of the task: "We need to be very balanced - we need to defend the rights of Europe, but we also have to think that in the future the UK will be an important partner for us."</s>BRUSSELS — Antonio Tajani was elected president of the European Parliament on Tuesday, and he won’t have much time to settle in.

Mr. Tajani, an Italian who beat out his countryman Gianni Pittella in the fourth round of voting, takes over as the European Union confronts an array of pressing issues.

The Parliament is the only directly elected body among the bewildering list representing the European Union, but it often struggles for relevance — a fact underscored when Mr. Tajani’s ascendance on Tuesday was overshadowed by a speech by Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain on plans for her country to leave the bloc, and an address by Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader, in Davos, Switzerland.

Who is Antonio Tajani?

Mr. Tajani, 63, from the European People’s Party — the Parliament’s largest political group, with 217 members from 27 nations — was the favorite for the post.</s>Antonio Tajani, of the EPP Christian Democrat group, has been elected president of the European Parliament.

Mr Tajani defeated his socialist opponent in a day-long series of polls.

Before the first round of voting, the EPP, the largest group in the legislature, and the ALDE liberals, the fourth-largest, announced a coalition that gave Mr Tajani a big early lead over S&D socialist Gianni Pittella.

Antonio Tajani acknowledges applauses after being elected European Parliament President at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017.

He maintained the lead through four rounds of voting.

The battle among the two Italians was won by Mr Tajani on a vote of 351-282.

Mr Tajani's victory gives the Christian Democrats all the biggest jobs in the EU, with Donald Tusk as Council president and Jean-Claude Juncker as Commission chief.

Antonio Tajani acknowledges after being elected European Parliament President at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.</s>The European Parliament has elected Antonio Tajani as its next President, to succeed Martin Schulz. Tajani was elected in the 4th round of voting after no absolute majority of votes cast was achieved in the first three rounds. The final vote saw Tajani beat Gianni Pittella with 351 votes to 282.

Antonio Tajani was born on 4 August 1953 in Rome. He is an experienced Italian politician having served among other positions, as a Vice-President of the European Commission, and of the European Parliament.

Tajani studied Law at the Sapienza University of Rome and has worked as a journalist, specialized on parliamentary affairs. He worked at the Rai Radio 1, at the newspaper ‘Il Giornale’ and travelling as a special envoy in Lebanon, Somalia and Soviet Union.

He showed an interest in politics since his youth, when he joined the Youth Monarchist Front, a student organization of the Monarchist party of Italy.

But his involvement in deep politics started in 1994 when he participated in the creation of the Forza Italia party. Being one of its founders, he also served as the regional coordinator for the Lazio region between 1994 and 2005.

In 1994-95 Tajani was a spokesman of the Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

In 2001 he was a candidate for mayor of Rome but he was defeated by Walter Veltroni.

Since 2002 Tajani is one of the 10 vice-presidents of the European People’s Party (EPP).

In 1994 he entered in European politics since he was elected MEP. He was reelected in 1999 and in 2004.

On May 2008, he was appointed as Italy’s EU Commissioner receiving the Transport portfolio.

Among his achievements in this role, Tajani elaborated the rescue plan for Alitalia and he oversaw the drafting of the new EU Regulation relating to transport. Thanks to this regulation the defense of the rights of passengers in air transport were safeguarded. Critics have suggested he has was aware of the Volkswagen emissions scandal but failed to act during his term at the Commission, but his election to the top of the Parliament signal that these allegations have left Tajani unharmed.

In 2009 he was appointed as European Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship in the second Barroso Commission.</s>Italian conservative Antonio Tajani has been elected the new president of the European Parliament.

Mr Tajani, 63, is a former spokesman for Italy's Silvio Berlusconi and an ex-European commissioner.

He defeated another Italian, Gianni Pitella, and will take over from Germany's Martin Schulz.

The European Parliament has the power to block or amend EU laws, and will have the final say on whether to approve a Brexit deal with the UK.

The contest ran to the maximum four rounds.

Mr Tajani's European People's Party group benefited from a coalition with the parliament's liberals, who hope to curb the influence of anti-EU populists.

The election of Mr Tajani puts the centre-right in charge of the three main EU institutions - the European Commission, Council and Parliament.</s>Antonio Tajani, of the European People’s Party (EPP) Christian Democrat group, has been elected president of the European Parliament.

Mr Tajani defeated his socialist opponent Gianni Pittella after a day-long series of polls.

Before the first round of voting, the EPP, the largest group in the legislature, and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), the fourth-largest, announced a coalition that gave Mr Tajani a big early lead over the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) candidate Mr Pittella.

He maintained the lead through four rounds of voting.

The battle among the two Italians was won by Mr Tajani by a vote of 351-282.

Mr Tajani’s victory gives the Christian Democrats all the biggest jobs in the EU, with Donald Tusk as European Council president and Jean-Claude Juncker as European Commission chief.</s>Strasbourg, France: Italian centre-right politician Antonio Tajani was elected the new president of the European Parliament on Tuesday after a final round of voting, officials said.

Tajani, an ally of former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi, got 351 votes while his socialist rival Gianni Pittella got 282, outgoing leader Martin Schulz said.

"I congratulate you warmly. I wish you good luck as you carry out your mandate," Schulz said as he shook hands with Tajani.

European Council leader Donald Tusk hailed the importance of a position at the head of the EU´s only elected body at a time of crises in the bloc.

"I congratulate Antonio Tajani as next EP (European Parliament) president and look forward to cooperating. A united, strong EU needs a constructive, effective EP," Tusk said.

Italy´s Tajani elected European Parliament president was posted in World of TheNews International - https://www.thenews.com.pk on January 18, 2017 and was last updated on January 18, 2017. This news story is related to Latest/179832-Italys-Tajani-elected-European-Parliament-president/ - breaking news, latest news, pakistan ne. Permanent link to the news story "Italy´s Tajani elected European Parliament president" is https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/179832-Italys-Tajani-elected-European-Parliament-president.</s>An Italian lawmaker and ally of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was elected president of the European Parliament late Tuesday in Strasbourg.

Antonio Tajani, 63 years old, is a member of the center-right European People’s Party, which is the largest faction in the parliament and whose members run all the major European Union institutions. He defeated Gianni Pitella, also an Italian lawmaker, who heads the second-largest...</s>BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — Tajani, 63, has served as a European lawmaker for 14 years and for 6 years as a vice president of the European Commission.

"I confirm that lawmaker Tajani has been elected as new head of the European Parliament," Shultz announced.

Never miss a story again — sign up to our Telegram channel and we'll keep you up to speed!</s>Antonio Tajani of the EPP Christian Democrat group was elected president of the European Parliament on Tuesday in a daylong polling series during which he defeated his socialist opponent.

Before the first round of voting, the EPP, the largest group in the legislature, and the ALDE liberals, the fourth-largest, announced a coalition that gave Tajani a big early lead over S&D socialist Gianni Pittella.

He maintained the lead through four rounds of voting.

The battle among the two Italians was won by Tajani on a vote of 351-282.

Tajani's victory gives the Christian Democrats all the biggest jobs in the EU, with Donald Tusk as Council President and Jean-Claude Juncker as Commission chief.
Antonio Tajani has been elected as new President of the European Parliament.