Liberal Democrat group leader congratulates new EP President but calls for a reform agenda

4.27.37pm GMT Tue 16th Jan 2007

Responding to the election of Hans-Gert Poettering today as the President of the European Parliament for the second half of the current mandate, Graham Watson MEP, leader of the 106 Liberal and Democrat MEPs congratulated him on reaching the pinnacle of his parliamentary career but reminded him of the need for Parliament to pursue a reformist agenda to meet the demands of the public for more information and transparency:

"Liberals and Democrats opposed the deal at the beginning of this mandate between Christian Democrats and Socialists as unnatural, but nevertheless I recognise the personal qualities of Hans-Gert Poettering - of honesty and fairness as well as long experience and competence."

"I wish him well as President of the House but if Parliament is to rise to the challenges facing European democracy in the 21st century he will have to listen more closely to the growing chorus of voices calling for reform and modernisation. This, the 50th year of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, is an appropriate year to seriously begin this process."