Metsola rebuffs Aliyev and defends EU Parliament's democratic mandate

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola hit back at Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the European Political Community Summit, delivering a pointed defence of the Parliament's democratic legitimacy after Aliyev complained that the institution had approved fourteen resolutions against his country over five years.

Metsola did not soften her response.

"The European Parliament is a democratic body directly elected by representatives, and its resolutions are adopted by majority vote," she said. "The results may create discomfort for many, but we will never change the path we are following, and we will defend the positions we adopt."

She underscored that MEPs are accountable to voters and free to express and defend their positions without external pressure.

Among the resolutions Aliyev complained about were calls for the release of Armenian prisoners of war and of Azerbaijani dissidents Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and Ilhamiz Guliyev.