Strasbourg, 06/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - As expected, the European Parliament's Socialist Group selected the UK's David Martin (Labour) to contest the election for President of the European Parliament in January 2002, when Nicole Fontaine's term comes to an end.
David Martin explained that if he were elected President, his objectives would be to project the Parliament as an equal partner in the EU's decision-making; working with national and regional parliaments for open democratic government; reforming and streamlining the Parliament's internal workings; raising the Parliament's profile with the people; and making the Parliament's operation more lively and media-friendly. "I believe the European Parliament is at a crossroads", explained Mr Martin and stressed the necessity for the EP to act as the "democratic voice of the people". "It is time to stop navel gazing and take up our role as champions of the people in an institution fit for the 21st century", he added. If elected, Mr Martin said he would give the European Parliament a real voice in the 2004 EU reform process and the preparations for enlargement.
David Martin has been a Member of the European Parliament since 1984 and Vice-President since the 1989-1994 term.