Buzek steps down

20th January 2012

Jerzy Buzek stepped down as President of the European Parliament this week after two and a half years at the helm.

In keeping with the established routine by which the European People’s Party and the Party of European Socialists split the 5-year term between them, German Socialist Martin Schulz was elected to replace Buzek (although with far fewer votes than Buzek had claimed in 2009).

“I am convinced that the leadership of the European Parliament will play a key role in the EU’s democracy,” said the former president after the vote. “We hope that it will remain a place of political debate which serves our citizens.”