German expected to lead EU legislators

BRUSSELS, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- A veteran German politician is expected to be elected president of the European Parliament in Brussels on Jan. 16, a report says.

Hans-Gert Poettering is expected to be elected the leader of the 785-member assembly, the EU Observer said. The European Parliament also will elect 14 vice presidents and quaestors, who are in charge of administration for the members of Parliament.

Poettering has been in the European Parliament for almost 30 years, the EU Observer said. It reported that when asked by a German newspaper, he said his priorities would be bringing the European Union and its parliament closer to the people, as well as Europe's relationship with the Islamic world.

"His presidency will be a conservative presidency with a small c," Liberal leader Graham Watson told the EU Observer.