STRASBOURG, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) ---- Antonio Tajani of the European People's Party Group has been elected president of the European Parliament on Tuesday.
Tajani led the first three rounds of voting, but was not able to secure the absolute majority necessary to win earlier in the day.
After the grueling contest, he emerged after defeating Gianni Pittella, leader of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, in a final fourth voting round, by 351 votes to 282.
He replaces outgoing President Martin Schulz and will serve a renewable 2.5-year term.
Tajani takes office immediately and will oversee the election of 14 vice presidents and five quaestors on Wednesday.
