Europarl: European Parliament Press release
Acting President of the European Parliament Gianni Pittella made the following statement on the proposal by the European Council today in Brussels of Jean-Claude Juncker to be the next European Commission President:
"The democratic will expressed by European citizens in the European elections has been respected. By proposing Jean-Claude Juncker as the next President of the European Commission, EU Heads of State and government recognise the double democratic legitimacy deriving on the one hand from the results of the European elections and on the other from the election of the Commission President by the European Parliament.
This unprecedented election process is an historic a turning point for the European Union. The ball is now firmly in the court of the European Parliament, and we will exercise our power swiftly, transparently and democratically.
Jean-Claude Juncker now has the mandate to form a majority in the European Parliament. We as representatives of the people must now swiftly agree on a political programme for the next legislature. This will help Europe to finally get out of the crisis and make people's lives better."
Contact:
Jaume DUCH GUILLOT
: jaume.duch@europarl.europa.eu
: (+32) 496 59 94 76
: (+32) 2 28 43000 (BXL)
: (+33) 3 881 74705 (STR)
Armin MACHMER
: armin.machmer@europarl.europa.eu
: (+32) 479 97 11 98
: (+32) 2 28 44151 (BXL)
: (+33) 3 881 74134 (STR)