Roberta Metsola was re-elected for a second term as European Parliament (EP) President on Tuesday, with an overwhelming majority.

She managed to beat off a challenge from Spanish Member of European Parliament (MEP) Irene Montero, following an election held in Strasburg during the inaugural sitting of the newly-elected EP.

Dr Metsola won 562 votes out of the 623 cast, while her rival received 61. The rest of the votes were deemed invalid.

With a vote share of over 90 per cent, Dr Metsola received the strongest-ever backing for an EP President, observers stated.

Dr Metsola was first elected President of the EP in 2022, the highest international post every held by a Maltese national. She was the first Maltese EP President and also the youngest to serve in the role.

During the 2024 MEP elections, Dr Metsola also broke records on a local level with a total of 87,473 votes.

As she made her way to address the EP following the election results on Tuesday, Dr Metsola was greeted by widespread applause from MEPs.

In her address, she thanked her colleagues for the support she was shown by the MEPs and said that she will work to repay the faith shown in her.

“This will remain a house of every person in Europe. Together we must stand up for the politics of hope, for the dream that is Europe, for the promise of our foremothers and forefathers which is yet unfulfilled,” Dr Metsola stated.

She remarked that two and a half years after she was first appointed, she still wants people to “recapture a sense of belief and enthusiasm” for EP and to make it “safer, fairer, more just and more equal.”

Dr Metsola also highlighted the need for the EU to have strategic independence, stability, and global competitiveness, while also prioritising solutions to climate change.

The Malta Chamber congratulates the EP President

In a statement released shortly after the results were announced, The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry congratulated Dr Metsola, wishing her every success in the esteemed role.

“This prestigious appointment is poised to elevate Malta’s profile at both the EU and international levels,” it continued.

The Malta Chamber said that it looks forward to collaborating with Dr Metsola and the rest of Malta’s MEPs, “and trust that all our MEPs will set aside partisan bickering and act in the best interests of Malta going forward.”