Hans-Gert Pöttering has come to the end of his presidency and the battle has begun for the next President of the new European Parliament.

Who will be the next President of the European Parliament?

He watches over the European   Parliament, its rules and functioning.

The President represents the Parliament   in front of the EU,

its institutions and the 27 Member States.

He's the voice of European citizens   throughout the world.

Over 30 years, the power   of the Parliament has increased.

Consequently, the role of the President   is more and more important.

At the moment, the President is German   but after the election,

Hans-Gert Pöttering   is going to be replaced.

Who will be his successor   for the next 5 years?

from different political families   and from different nationalities.

Each political group presents   its own candidate.

Tradition has it that the 2 biggest groups   agree to share the Presidency.

They occupy the seat   in turn for 2.5 years.

But this time,   a different agreement may be found.

The big groups could ally with smaller   ones, instead of between themselves.

This would allow candidates   from smaller groups to become President.

The battle for the presidential seat   is only starting.

The President of the Parliament   will be appointed by the 736 MEPs

during a vote which will take place   on 14 July.