"We would very much like to work very closely with you and with the entire European Parliament, " said Chancellor Angela Merkel at a press conference with the new President of the European Parliament, David Maria Sassoli, before their meeting. Europe will only be able to take effective action if the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council work together.

More about the EU institutions here.

Brexit

"We are all in one boat and face major challenges," Angela Merkel continued. One of these is the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU. This, she said, would be one matter she would be discussing with the new President. After talks with the Chancellor, Davis Sassoli was due to fly to London for a meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Finance, digital issues and climate action

The question of the multiannual financial framework, i.e. the financial planning for the coming years, is also important if the EU is to be effective. "This is obviously always an extremely complicated matter involving the European Council and the European Parliament," explained Angela Merkel. She pledged the support of the German government and declared, "We want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem."

Other important decisions are pending in the field of digitalisation and with respect to environmental protection and climate action. When the European Commission begins work on 1 November, it is important that it is able to take swift, effective action, stressed the Chancellor.

The Italian, David Maria Sassoli, was elected President of the European Parliament on 3 July 2019 for a two-and-a-half year term of office. This is equivalent to one half of the parliamentary term of the European Parliament. He has been a social democrat member of the European Parliament since 2009. In May 2019 he was re-elected by voters in Central Italy for a third term of office.

How is the President of the European Parliament elected?

The European Parliament elects a President with an absolute majority of the votes cast. The President then chairs the sessions and debates of the Parliament for one half of the parliamentary term. The President also represents the Parliament vis à vis other bodies and EU institutions. Find out more here.