Brussels, 30/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - Former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt was selected on Tuesday 30 June to lead the Alliance of Democrats and Liberals for Europe (ALDE) group in the European Parliament. Verhofstadt will succeed Graham Watson at the head of this 80-strong group, the third largest political force in the EP, behind the European People's Party and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (formerly the PES). Verhofstadt, the only candidate standing for election, will hold the post for five years. In a press release, he expressed the belief that “a coherent and united ALDE group can be a major force in European decision-making over the years ahead which present a number of significant challenges”, especially in finding a way out of the economic and financial crisis. On this, “Europe is not the problem but the solution to the problems facing Europe at the moment. We need more, not less Europe,” he added. (A.B./transl.rt)