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MEPs from Poland’s ruling party cast deciding votes in EP election: official

PR dla Zagranicy
Victoria Bieniek 18.01.2017 13:26
MEPs from Poland’s governing Law and Justice (PiS) party were behind the votes that decided Italy’s Antonio Tajani would head the European Parliament, PiS Eurodeputy Anna Fotyga has said.
The new president of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani. Photo: EPA/Patrick Seeger.The new president of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani. Photo: EPA/Patrick Seeger.

“The election of Antonio Tajani in the [fourth round of voting], where two candidates competed … was decided by the votes of my political group,” the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), Fotyga told Polish broadcaster TVP.

PiS is a major member of the ECR, alongside Britain’s Conservative Party.

“For more than ten hours of elections we conducted difficult negotiations, the result of which was Tajani distancing himself from the provisions of a federalist agreement between [the European People’s Party and liberals],” Fotyga added.

PiS MEPs were upset by a deal reached by Christian Democrats and liberals, which said the European Commission should create a legal basis for protecting the rule of law in the European Union.

The European Commission has in recent months repeatedly criticized the Law and Justice government in Warsaw, claiming PiS has threatened the rule of law by introducing sweeping legal and other changes since being elected in October 2015. PiS has denied such charges.

Meanwhile, according to former Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller, Tajani's election will have repercussions for the European Council President, Poland's Donald Tusk.

Tajani and Tusk are both from the European People’s Party, as is the president of the European Commission. Miller said socialist MEPs will now want to change the balance of power.

Tajani will replace German Social Democrat Martin Schulz, who served as European Parliament president for five years.

With Tusk’s European Council presidency ending on 31 May, his chances for reelection are slimmer, Miller said.

“I don’t mean to say that Donald Tusk’s chances have been reduced to a minimum, but his situation has become complicated,” Miller told Polish broadcaster TVP. (vb/pk)

Source: PAP, TVP

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