In the upcoming European Parliament, Iratxe García Pérez of Spain and Valérie Hayer of France have been re-elected to preside over the socialist and liberal groups, respectively. García Pérez, an ally of Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, will lead the Socialists & Democrats (S&D) who remain the second-largest force in the Parliament. She emphasized priorities such as equality, democracy, rule of law, a social democratic and sustainable Europe, and support for the Green Deal. Meanwhile, Hayer, chosen to lead Renew Europe, faces challenges due to a decline in MEPs which weakens their traditional role as a kingmaker between right and left.
Speculation initially arose that an Italian candidate may challenge García Pérez following Italy’s Partito Democratico’s strong showing. However, García Pérez ultimately retained her position unopposed. One of her main tasks will be negotiating with Ursula von der Leyen for her re-election as European Commission president. Hayer’s leadership was briefly in doubt until Portugal’s João Cotrim de Figueiredo attempted to enter the race but ultimately withdrew due to lack of support. Hayer’s leadership ensures France’s continued influence within the liberal family and she highlighted the importance of their political position to maintain a central, pro-European majority.
The recent exits from the Czechia delegation have further limited the liberal influence in Renew Europe, leading Hayer to focus on attracting new members to strengthen the group. The re-election of García Pérez and Hayer follows the confirmation of Manfred Weber as the leader of the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP). Weber ran unopposed and will continue in his position since 2014. In addition, the Greens selected Terry Reintke and Bas Eickhout as co-chairs for the next mandate without any challengers. This continuity of leadership reflects a status quo strategy to navigate the anticipated disputes and contentious legislation in the upcoming parliamentary sessions.
Both García Pérez and Hayer were elected via acclamation as no challengers were presented against them. García Pérez emphasized the need for negotiations based on priorities and insisted that compromises must align with the group’s goals. Hayer, acknowledging the challenges faced by Renew Europe, expressed confidence in their political position and promised to bring in new members to strengthen the group. The stability in leadership within these parliamentary groups suggests a desire to maintain a familiar and established approach to leading the European Parliament through the potentially turbulent legislative landscape.
Overall, the re-election of García Pérez and Hayer highlights the continuation of familiar faces at the helm of the socialist and liberal groups in the European Parliament. Their priorities and strategies will play a crucial role in shaping the legislative agenda in the upcoming term. With challenges on the horizon, such as declining MEP numbers and the need for coalition-building, these leaders face a complex political landscape that will require deft navigation and adept decision-making to ensure the effective functioning of the Parliament.
