Poland proud of new EU Parliament President

Poland has reacted with pride to the news that former Prime Minister Jerzey Buzek has been elected President of the European Parliament.

Buzek is the first leader from a former Soviet bloc country to hold one of the EU’s top jobs.

The 69-year-old won the parliament’s overwhelming support at its first session since a June election at which his centre-right allies emerged as the strongest force.

Many see it as a symbolic victory for Eastern and Central Europe:

One person said: “This really means the division between the new and old members of the Union, which no one ever talks about, is at an end. I’m very glad that a Pole has been recognised and promoted, I’m really glad that his victory is a symbol proving real integration between old and new Europe.”

Buzek, a former member of the Solidarity trade union, told the EU parliament it must now help end Europe’s economic crisis and win the trust of its 500 million citizens.

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tags: EU Parliament, Jerzy Buzek