Italian politician becomes president of PACE

Michele Nicoletti, an Italian parliamentarian, on Monday became the president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

The General Assembly of PACE, which convened under the chairmanship of Boriss Cilevics, endorsed Nicoletti for the position without a vote since he was the sole candidate.

Following his endorsement, Nicoletti thanked all of the political groups that gave him support.

“European civilizations prospered through struggle. Women, men, and minorities came together and defended [their] ideals. We know that there are some extraordinary expectations. We should not lose our courage and not yield to pessimism,” Nicoletti said during his first speech at the assembly.

A member of the Italian Democratic Party, the 61-year-old is a professor of political philosophy.