Martin Schulz elected as EP president

STRASBOURG, France - German MEP Martin Schulz was elected as the new president of the European Parliament here on Tuesday, succeeding Jerzy Buzek, according to a vote by MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) during a week-long plenary session in Strasbourg.

Martin Schulz of Germany addresses the assembly of the European Parliament after being elected the new president of the EU parliament in Strasbourg January 17, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

"Those who did not vote me will be pleasantly surprised. I will be the president of all members and I will defend all your rights," said the new president in a passionate speech right after the election.

Schulz, an MEP since 1994 and the chair of the major Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group since 2004, won the election with 387 votes out of 670 valid ones, defeating the other two candidates of conservative Nirj Deva and liberal Dianna Wallis.

The European Parliament, one of the three main institutions in the European Union, represents some 500 million Europeans with its members directly elected in each member state.