BRUSSELS - Italian socialist David-Maria Sassoli was elected Wednesday to head the European parliament, completing the bloc’s drawn-out and at times acrimonious appointment process for its top jobs. In the second round of voting at the Strasbourg-based legislature, Sassoli received 345 votes, well over the absolute majority required of the 667 available. The European Parliament has an array of powers within the EU including given its ascent to the others that EU leaders picked for its top jobs. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOWOn Tuesday, EU leaders also nominated Belgium’s Prime Minister Charles Michel to lead the European Council, which brings together the leaders of the member states. All were linked in one big compromise arrangement and voting down Sassoli would have upset the political balance of the drawn-out and complicated process.

Source: thestar July 03, 2019 07:30 UTC