Spaniard Josep Borrell Fontelles has been elected as President of the European parliament after gaining the majority backing of MEPs at the first time of asking.
From the 700 MEPs voting, Mr Borrell gained 388 votes at the first ballot, 64 more than was need to garner an necessary absolute majority of votes cast.
The other two candidates, Polish Liberal Bronislaw Geremek, who was supported by the Liberals and French communist Francis Wurtz gained 208 and 51 votes respectively.
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