Roberta Metsola, a member of the European Parliament representing Malta, was reelected as the President of the European Parliament. Metsola received a significant majority of 562 out of 699 votes available, securing her position for a term of 2 1/2 years. She initially assumed the role of President in January 2022, succeeding her predecessor, and had previously served as the Vice President from November 2020.
As the President of the European Parliament, Metsola serves as the primary representative of the parliament in legal and international affairs. Her responsibilities include overseeing parliamentary sessions, representing the institution in external engagements, and upholding the democratic values of the European Union.
In her capacity as a Maltese MEP, Metsola has been an advocate for the regulation of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. She has emphasized the importance of implementing regulatory frameworks that support innovation while ensuring consumer protection and market integrity. Metsola was entrusted by her political party, the European People’s Party, to shape their stance on the European Union’s strategy for blockchain technology within the Committee of Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs.
During her previous term, Metsola played a crucial role in the adoption of the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) legislation by the European Union. The MiCA framework aims to establish comprehensive regulations for crypto assets, including rules governing stablecoins and digital asset service providers. While Metsola’s influence on policy decisions within the EU remains limited in her ceremonial role as President of the European Parliament, her advocacy for balanced and effective regulatory measures has contributed to shaping the EU’s approach to digital finance and blockchain technology.
Mark Foster, the EU policy lead at the Crypto Council for Innovation, noted that the role of the EP President is primarily symbolic and representative, with minimal direct involvement in policymaking processes. However, Metsola’s leadership and advocacy for regulatory clarity in the crypto sector have underscored the importance of fostering innovation while safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders in the evolving digital economy.