European Parliament's presidential candidate Antonio Tajani attends the announcement of the candidates for the election to the office of the President at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, January 16, 2017. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
STRASBOURG (Reuters) - The European Parliament elects a new speaker on Tuesday in an unusually hotly contested vote that could strengthen eurosceptic forces at a time when the EU faces British moves to leave and questions about its future role.
A divisive campaign and the end of the 'grand coalition' of the main parties is also likely to hamper the assembly, delaying lawmaking - another boon for anti-EU parties who portray the union as rigid and bureaucratic. Other sensitive matters facing the assembly include immigration and banking.
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