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German Christian Democrat Hans-Gert Poettering was elected President of the European Parliament (EP) on Tuesday and will stay at the helm of the European Union (EU)'s legislature for the next two and a half years.

Poettering was elected by 450 out of 689 valid votes in the first round of ballot at the plenary session of the EP in Strasbourg, beating the other three candidates -- Jens-Peter Bonde of Denmark, Monica Frassoni of Italy and Francis Wurtz of France.

All of the parliament's 785 members are eligible to vote in the president's election.

Poettering, 61, has been an EP member since 1979, and has since 1999 been appointed to the position of Chairman of the European People's Party and European Democrats, the largest group in the parliament with 277 members.

The German politician's election had been widely expected due to a 2004 deal between his group and the Socialist group, the second biggest group in the parliament.

He succeeded Spanish Socialist Josep Borrell, who has served as the EP president since July 2004. Poettering's term will end in mid-2009, when the next EP elections will be held across the EU.

Speaking after the voting, Poettering said he would press ahead for a "democratic, strong and active European Union in Europe and throughout the world," adding that he would present his work program for the next two and a half years on February 13.

He pledged to serve as a "fair and objective" EP President for his two and a half year term, further calling on EU legislators to discard ideological differences and work together to make the assembly a body truly reflecting the "people's will." He also urged the EU citizens to act together to ensure that the values and interests of the bloc are properly defended.

Congratulating Poettering on his election, European Commission President Jose Barroso said he hoped there would be better cooperation among EU institutions.

Today's 27-nation EU, after the accession of Romania and Bulgaria on January 1, "requires a spirit of partnership among all EU institutions than ever before" so that the cause of European integration can be advanced, Barroso told the EU lawmakers.

Poettering is one of the six members of the EP to have continuously served since the first EU legislature elections in 1979, and possesses vast experience with the Brussels EU machinery.

He is generally regarded by colleagues as a nice person and very correct, and has considered one of his great achievements to have not made any enemies in the assembly during his long career.

The veteran German politician has said his priorities as EP President would include bringing the EU and its parliament closer to the people and develop Europe's relationship with the Islamic world.

He is also expected to continue previous EP Presidents' efforts in boosting the house's profile and seeking a greater role for the legislature in EU decision-making.

Poettering is a member of the presidium of the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU). He studied law, political science and history in Bonn, Geneva and at Columbia University in New York. He received a doctorate in political science and history in 1974.

Fourteen Vice-Presidents, as well as six quaestors, who are in charge of administration for EU lawmakers, will also be elected on Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2007)