The Slovenia Times

Peterle faces first hurdle in European Parliament bid

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Peterle, who has been MEP since the European Parliament elections were first held in Slovenia, faces Alain Lamassoure from France, Mairead McGuinness from Ireland and Antonio Tajani from Italy in the EPP race for the post.

In the presentation of his bid, Peterle said that it was time once again for a president from a new EU member state. He also stressed that the size of the country of origin did not affect the quality of leadership.

He highlighted his track record in politics, having previously served as prime minister and foreign minister, as well as his knowledge of Eastern and Western Europe, the Balkans, Russia, Turkey, Central Asia and Africa. "We need a person who knows and understands this world."

Peterle appears to enjoy broad support in Slovenia. Although a member of the opposition New Slovenia (NSi), he was endorsed by Prime Minister Miro Cerar, Speaker Milan Brglez and Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec.

Head of the junior coalition Social Democrats (SD), a member of the S&D group in the European Parliament, Dejan Židan told the STA that the party would invite Peterle to present his bid to his party if backed by the EPP.

SD's MEP Tanja Fajon, a vice-president of the S&D, however said that her group stood firmly behind its candidate Gianni Pitella.

One further unknown for Peterle is the support of the opposition Democrats (SDS), which are also members of the EPP and have three MEPs, who refused to comment on his candidacy.

However, SDS leader Janez Janša has recently said that the party would not support Peterle because "his ego is bigger than his heart".

MEPs will vote on the successor to Germany's Martin Schulz (S&D), who has headed the institution for two two-and-a-half-year terms, at the January plenary.

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