Brussels, 13/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - Graham Watson has officially confirmed to the press the candidacy of Bronislav Geremek for the Presidency of the European Parliament on behalf of the Liberal group. The bureau of the Liberal group, which met last week, decided unanimously to put forward the former dissident turned Polish statesman, he said. Emphasising Mr Geremek's skills, Graham Watson added that "Mr Geremek is a candidate who can unite the European politicians, because he represents the values of peace, democracy and liberty, which lie at the heart of the EU". In answer to a question, he underlined that the vote would be secret, and that it would therefore be possible to unite the votes of MEPs from other groups, particularly the PES and EPP-Ed groups, around Mr Geremek. He therefore called upon the MEPs to vote with "conviction and in all conscience".
At his first press conference as an MEP, Mr Geremek stressed (in Polish) the "honour and satisfaction of seeing that a Polish candidate for the post of President of the EP can be envisaged". Mr Geremek will campaign around a number of ideas to bring the institutions closer to the citizens and to work for their greater transparency. He also stressed the need to mobilise civil society in favour of the Constitution at national debates, and to continue the EU's reform efforts to increase its legitimacy in the view of European public opinion. Arguing his involvement with the Polish Parliament, Bronislav Geremek rejected the view that the next President should have a greater EP background and know the ropes: "I will learn what I need to learn and do what I must do", he said. In conclusion, Mr Watson confirmed that he would announce the constitution of the Liberal group on Wednesday, which would be the largest centrist force ever seen within the EP "with at least 88 MEPs, and maybe over 90".