Bridging Blockchain & Politics: Roberta Metsola Secures Second Term as European Parliament President

TLDR

• Roberta Metsola has been reelected as President of the European Parliament.
• She received 562 out of 699 votes, securing a 2.5-year term.
• Metsola is known for her blockchain-friendly stance and support for regulated innovation in crypto.
• During her previous tenure, the EU’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) legislation was passed.
• She has been a strong supporter of Ukraine and has pledged to combat political polarization.

Roberta Metsola, a member of the European Parliament from Malta, has been reelected as President of the European Parliament. The election, held on July 16, 2024, saw Metsola secure 562 out of 699 votes, granting her another 2.5-year term at the helm of the EU’s legislative body.

Metsola, who belongs to the center-right European People’s Party (EPP), first took on the role of European Parliament President in January 2022, following the death of her predecessor.

Her reelection marks a continuation of her leadership, which has been characterized by support for regulated innovation in the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors.

In her acceptance speech, Metsola addressed a range of issues facing the European Union. She pledged “strong leadership” and vowed to continue pressuring for the Parliament’s right to initiate legislation. “This must be a House that cannot be afraid to lead and change,” Metsola stated, paying tribute to the late former President David Sassoli.

Metsola’s stance on blockchain and cryptocurrency regulation has been notable. In 2018, as a member of the European Parliament for Malta, she called for regulation on crypto and blockchain when needed, but without stifling innovation.

This balanced approach aligns with the EU’s recent efforts to create a comprehensive regulatory framework for the crypto industry.

During her previous tenure, the European Union passed the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) legislation, a wide-ranging package of crypto rules.

The stablecoin rules from this package recently went into effect, with the rest of the regulations expected to apply by the end of the year.

While the European Parliament President’s role is largely ceremonial and representative, Metsola’s blockchain-friendly attitude may have contributed to a more informed discussion on these matters.

Beyond her stance on emerging technologies, Metsola has been recognized for her strong support of Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. She was the first EU leader to visit Ukraine after the war broke out, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy sent his congratulations following her reelection.

In her speech, Metsola also addressed the issue of political polarization, which has become increasingly prevalent across Europe. “Polarization in our societies has led to more confrontational politics, even political violence,” she noted. “We need to move beyond this zero-sum thinking that has excluded people, that turns people away.” She called for a more inclusive approach to politics to help combat this trend.

Metsola’s reelection comes at a crucial time for the European Union, as it faces challenges ranging from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to economic pressures and the need to integrate new technologies into its regulatory framework.