It is official: The ally of Jean-Claude Juncker and Silvio Berlusconi, Antonio Tajani (EPP, IT) won Parliament’s presidential election with 351 votes in a final face-off with Gianni Pittella (S&D, IT), who secured 282 votes.

The outcome of the fourth ballot was:

Antonio Tajani (EPP, IT) 351
Gianni Pittella (S&D, IT) 282

Valid votes cast: 633
Abstentions: 80
Total votes cast: 713

Mr Tajani currently serves as one of the 14 Vice Presidents of the European Parliament. The MEP represents the largest political power in the European Parliament – the European People’s Party (EPP).

Mr Tajani was one of the founders of the Forza Italia party in 1994 and served under Silvio Berlusconi in his first government from 1994.

He previously held the position of European Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship.