Fine Gael MEP puts her name forward for Presidency of European Parliament

The Fine Gael’s Mairead McGuinness has announced she is running for the Presidency of the European Parliament.

The Fine Gael’s Mairead McGuinness has announced she is running for the Presidency of the European Parliament.

The current president Martin Schultz is said to be considering running for a third term.

The Midlands North-West MEP, who is currently a vice-president of the body, has formally put her name forward today.

Ms McGuinness says she is glad to be competing for the job.

She said: "I’m pleased to say that I have decided to formally put my name forward as a candidate for the group, the EPP.

"The decision will not be taken by our group until December and then in January we vote as a plenary for who is to be the speaker or the president of the house."