Schulz: An Italian for the PES group presidency after me? “For sure”

The election of Gianni Pittella as President of the Socialist group at the European Parliament appears almost certain. The PES MEPs met today in Brussels, and before the meeting the President, Martin Schulz, took Gianni Pittella apart for a short private talk. Before getting back into the Parliament, hunted by journalists asking him who’s going to be the group leader, he started saying “Well, me, naturally” then he was forced to answer to someone else: the press is aware that his election is just “temporary” then asked him about his successor – “Will the next president be Italian?” they asked. “For sure,” he said.

Talking with journalist, Schulz had already said clearly that “there are some Italian MEPs that will play a leading role in the PES group and at the European Parliament as well,” keeping the door open to a possible Parliament Presidency for Pittella.