The next European Parliament will see familiar faces leading the socialist and liberal groups as Spain’s Iratxe García Pérez and France’s Valérie Hayer were re-elected as presidents of their respective groups. García Pérez, a close ally of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, continues to lead the Socialists & Democrats (S&D), the second-largest force in the Parliament. She plans to focus on priorities such as equality, democracy, and a sustainable Europe. Meanwhile, Hayer, chosen as president of Renew Europe, aims to uphold pro-European values and focus on defence, security, competitiveness, the rule of law, and individual freedoms.
Despite initial speculations that Italian candidates might challenge García Pérez for the S&D leadership, she ultimately emerged as the uncontested leader. One of her key tasks will be to negotiate with Ursula von der Leyen for her re-election as the European Commission president. García Pérez emphasized the need to negotiate policies and priorities rather than giving a blank check. On the other hand, Hayer’s leadership of Renew Europe comes amid the party’s weakened position due to the poor performance of President Emmanuel Macron’s delegation, but she plans to steer the party as a vanguard of pro-European values.
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), which won the elections with 189 seats. The Greens also chose Terry Reintke and Bas Eickhout as their co-chairs for the next mandate. The leadership choices in the European Parliament reflect an alignment with known faces who are expected to navigate the challenges and ambitious legislation ahead. Despite renewed leadership, both the S&D and Renew Europe face hurdles in a changing political landscape where the balance of power and influence within the Parliament is shifting.
Hayer’s leadership of Renew Europe comes after a brief period of doubt when former Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès was seen as a potential contender. However, Wilmès did not put herself forward, and Portugal’s João Cotrim de Figueiredo briefly entered the race before withdrawing due to lack of support. With Hayer’s election, the leadership of Renew Europe remains in French hands, despite challenges from other potential candidates. The leadership shuffle in European Parliament groups highlights the complexities and dynamics of party politics within the EU, with various factions vying for influence and representation.
As the European Parliament gears up for a new mandate, the re-election of García Pérez and Hayer signals a continuity of leadership within the S&D and Renew Europe groups. Both leaders have outlined their priorities, focusing on key issues such as sustainability, democracy, and individual freedoms. Their roles will be crucial in shaping the legislative agenda and navigating the evolving political landscape in Europe. With the EPP, S&D, and Renew Europe confirming their leaders, the stage is set for a period of intense debates and negotiations as the European Parliament tackles significant challenges and seeks to advance a unified vision for the future of Europe.
