Marc Angel replaces detained Qatargate MEP as Deputy Speaker of Parliament

Marc Angel, a socialist from Luxembourg, was once elected on Wednesday to interchange Eva Kaili as vice-president of the European Parliament following the Greek lawmaker’s arrest in an ongoing corruption probe.

Angel’s election preserves the seat of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) crew in parliament, which has been rocked by means of allegations that international international locations, together with Qatar, illegally influenced one of the crucial crew’s lawmakers, together with Kaili. The crew once more holds 5 of the parliament’s 14 vice-presidential posts, giving it substantial leverage in atmosphere meeting laws and making selections on administrative, workforce and organizational issues.

Angel, who was once first elected in 2019, gained the publish with backing from the centre-right European People’s Party, Parliament’s greatest crew, and the liberal Renew crew, honoring a political deal the 3 made concluded in 2019 to percentage essentially the most robust frame positions. .

With 307 votes, Angel is definitely forward of a right-wing candidate, Annalisa Tardino, who obtains 185 votes, and the Greens candidate, Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, who obtains 98 votes.

Her election comes simply over a month after Kaili was once expelled from her publish following her arrest. She stays detained in Brussels and has denied the fees.

After the vote, Angel wrote on Twitter: “Proud to be elected Vice-President of the European Parliament. Thanks to everybody who supported me! The paintings starts now.

Some MEPs no longer supporting Angel argued that the timing was once a overlooked alternative to punish the S&D because the Qatargate scandal unfolds.

“It could be a strong signal that we understand how serious this all is and that we want to regain trust. … Instead, we start as usual,” Volt MEP Damian Boeselager advised POLITICO forward of the vote.