Donald Tusk, the outgoing president of the European Council, on Friday symbolically handed over to his successor Charles Michel the little bell used to delcare European leaders' meetings open.
Michel, formerly Prime Minister of Belgium, officially takes on the role on Sunday. He will chair his first EU summit on December 12 as Britain will be voting in a general election.
Nicknamed the 'bridge-builder' by the media, Michel is expected to bring a softer touch to the role, in contrast to his predecessor, renowned for his outspokenness, especially on Brexit.
"I will have my own style, open for dialogue and committed to building bridges. And perhaps more cautious with my tweets," Michel said during the ceremony, held in the main hall of the European Council building.
Both Michel and Tusk emphasised the importance of rule of law within the member states, echoing EU Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen's promise to safeguard courts' impartiality over the next five years.
"Europe is the best place on earth. At least as long as it remains a continent of freedom and of rule of law which is inhabited by a community aware of its history and culture," Tusk said.
Tusk was elected earlier this month president of the European People's Party (EPP) with an overwhelming 93% majority, succeeding France's Joseph Daul.
Donald Tusk hands EU Council Presidency to Charles Michel
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Reuters