European Parliament figures have been President of the Parliament and its predecessors. The first President was Paul-Henri Spaak MEP, one of the founding fathers of the Union. Other founding fathers include Alcide de Gasperi MEP and Robert Schuman MEP. The two female Presidents were Simone Veil MEP in 1979 (first President of the elected Parliament) and Nicole Fontaine MEP in 1999, both Frenchwomen. The previous president, Jerzy Buzek was the first East-Central European to lead an EU institution, a former Prime Minister of Poland who rose out of the Solidarity movement in Poland that helped overthrow communism in the Eastern Bloc. During
Prime Minister of Mauritius the following: The Prime Minister is appointed by the President. He or She holds the second most senior position in the country, second only to the president. The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the largest party in the ruling coalition. The position of Prime Minister alongside with the office of Deputy Prime Minister is specified under CHAPTER VI Section 59 Part 1 of the Constitution of Mauritius. After the country became a Republic on 12 March 1992, the President became the Head of State. The President holds prerogative powers which includes summoning, prorogation and dissolution of parliament including