The European Conservatives and Reformists Group today nominated Czech MEP Jan Zahradil as their candidate for the presidency of the European Parliament.

Zahradil, who recently ran as a ‘lead candidate’ during the European elections, is ready to take up the challenge and bring more balance to the EU’s institutions.

Speaking after receiving the nomination Zahradil said:

“I want to increase public trust in the European Parliament and the EU institutions in general. We can only do that if we show people we are listening to them and that means turning the Parliament into an assembly that listens to all the different views out there and holds genuinely open debates.

“Recent elections have shown popular concern over the EU’s recent development. Therefore this new European Parliament should try to find a new balance not only among the EU’s institutions but also between the national and the EU level.”

The election, which can consist of up to four ballots, will take place on Tuesday 2nd July. Zahradil concluded:

“The Parliament should be open and transparent and as President I want to unite the house so that all members are treated equally and they can all better connect with their electorates.”