David SASSOLI (S&D, IT), newly elected EP President gives his first speech in the Chamber of the European Parliament, in Strasbourg. He won with 345 out of 667 valid votes in the second round. David Sassoli was born in Florence on 30 May 1956. As an Italian MEP since 2009, he was re-elected on a Partito Democratico list in Central Italy in May 2019 for a third term. He will lead Parliament until January 2022.

Election of the President of the European Parliament: acceptance speech by David SASSOLI (S&D, IT), the newly elected EP President

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Handshake between Antonio Tajani, outgoing EP President and David-Maria Sassoli, incoming EP President (2 shots). 

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David-Maria SASSOLI (S&amp;D, IT), EP President, We must recover the spirit of the Founding Fathers, who knew how to put aside the hostilities of war, put an end to the failures of nationalism by giving us a project capable of combining peace, democracy, the rule of law, development and equality. In recent months, too many have bet on the decline of this project, fueling divisions and conflicts that we thought were a sad reminder of our history. Instead, citizens have shown that they still believe in this extraordinary project, the only one capable of giving answers to the global challenges we have before us. We must have the strength to relaunch our integration process, changing our Union to make it able to respond more strongly to the needs of our citizens.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David-Maria SASSOLI (S&amp;D, IT), Climate change exposes us to enormous risks now evident to all. We need investments for clean technologies to respond to the millions of young people who took to the streets, and some who also came to this House, to remind us that there is no other planet. We must work towards ever stronger gender equality and an ever greater role of women at the top of politics, the economy and the social sphere.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David-Maria SASSOLI (S&amp;D, IT), And so we say in this House today that Parliament will guarantee the independence of European citizens. And that only they are allowed to write their own destiny: none for them, no one for us.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David-Maria SASSOLI (S&amp;D, IT), Parliament, Council and Commission must feel the duty to respond more courageously to the questions of our young people when they are clamoring that we must wake up, open our eyes and save the planet. I want to address them: consider this Parliament, which today begins its legislative activity, as your point of reference. Also help us to be braver to face the challenges of change.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David-Maria SASSOLI (S&amp;D, IT), Finally,I salute the British parliamentarians, however they think about Brexit. For us to imagine Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Rome far from London is painful. Yes let this be known, with all the respect we owe to the choices of British citizens, for us Europeans it is a political step that must be carried out reasonably, in dialogue and with friendship, but always respecting the rules and the respective prerogatives.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David-Maria SASSOLI (S&amp;D, IT), Europe still has a lot to say if we, and you, will know how to say it together. If we can put the reasons for the political struggle at the service of our citizens, if Parliament will listen to their desires and their fears and their needs. I am sure that all of you will know how to give the necessary contribution to a better Europe that can be born with us, with you, if we know how to put heart and ambition. Thank you.

Election of the President of the European Parliament: acceptance speech by David SASSOLI (S&D, IT), the newly elected EP President

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David Sassoli, newly elected President of the European Parliament

Election of the President of the European Parliament