Strasbourg, 4th October 2016 -- The European Conservatives and Reformists group has just nominated the Flemish MEP Helga Stevens (N-VA) as their candidate for the European Parliament presidency. Stevens, who is the first female MEP to identify herself as deaf, told the group that she is honoured by this nomination and ready to take up the challenge. 

"I am running because I believe the European Parliament – as the directly elected assembly – needs to be far more open and representative of the whole EU. I have seen how all major decisions are made in a backroom by men from just a few countries. Europe is wide and diverse, and that diversity needs to be represented and every country's elected representatives should be equal,” said Stevens.

"I have a background of breaking glass ceilings, overcoming the odds, and uniting people. I want to show that it is possible to have a European Parliament President that represents and unites the whole house and all of Europe's representatives, so that we can deliver an open, transparent and effective parliament that will better connect with European citizens."  

The election for the presidency is taking place in January next year. The new president has to gain support of a majority of 751 MEPs.

ENDS  

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James Holtum on +32 473 861762; james.holtum@europarl.europa.eu

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