Roberta Metsola has made history after becoming the youngest president of the
European Parliament as well as for being the first woman in the presidential
role in 20 years. 

While many have
lauded the The 43-year-old Maltese conservative politician for her big win, others have shown disapproval because of Metsola’s well-known anti-abortion stance. Metsola, a pro-LGBT
rights politician took over the presidential role after the death of former president David
Sassoli. She is one of three women occupying essential roles in the EU, the
other head the European Commission and its central bank.

Metsola was sworn in
on the day she turned 43. According to her, the European Union is not
just a bureaucratic body, but also her passion.

Also Read: David Sassoli, European Parliament President, dies at age 65

 She is a member
of Partit Nazzjonalista (Malta’s Nationalist Party), one of the two political
parties in Malta, and is the third woman to occupy the EU role after
French forerunners Simone Veil and Nicole Fontaine.

 Metsola is a
mother to four boys, and is inspired by other women. According to a campaign
video posted on social media by the European Parliament (EPP) group, Metsola is
a “fighter” who goes to great lengths to achieve something she believes in.

Metsola was elected to the European Parliament on her third attempt. Nevertheless, the
Maltese politician went on to become one of the first vice-presidents of the EU
Parliament. Metsola has also been a vital member of the Committee on Civil
Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. After the murder of journalist Daphne
Caruana Galizia, Metsola began her fight against corruption and the protection
of media freedom.

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Critics have often
shown dismay for Metsola’s anti-abortion stance. Metsola is known to vote
against resolutions for legalised abortions in EU countries. Malta has one of
the strictest anti-abortion laws in the world, and the only country in the EU
to forbid the medical procedure.