The three political groups that form the backbone of the European Parliament's centrist majority are poised to re-elect their leaders on Tuesday, with no serious challengers in sight despite mounting friction within the alliance.
The European People's Party (EPP), the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and the liberal Renew Europe group will hold internal leadership votes in Strasbourg on 20 October. Barring last-minute surprises, the outcomes are widely expected to confirm the current leadership.
Manfred Weber, the German MEP who has led the EPP since 2014, faces no opposition. “He has an iron grip on the group. No one would even think of trying to topple him,” a senior MEP told Euronews. The real contest within the EPP is for the vice-presidencies, with 12 candidates competing for 10 slots. All current vice-presidents seeking re-election are expected to keep their seats, while outgoing Portuguese MEP Lídia Pereira is likely to be replaced by Hungary's Eszter Lakos.
Among the Socialists, Spanish MEP Iratxe García Pérez is set to be re-elected unopposed, extending her tenure and making her the longest-serving leader in the group's history. Her position has been stable, reflecting the S&D's internal cohesion, even as the broader centrist alliance faces strains.
Valérie Hayer, the French MEP from Emmanuel Macron's political camp, is the sole candidate to lead Renew Europe. She is expected to be elected by acclamation, with overwhelming support, according to a source within the group. A challenger could still enter the race at the last minute, which would trigger a ballot, but no such bid has materialised so far.
Alliance under pressure
Once re-elected, Weber, García Pérez and Hayer are expected to discuss the future of the centrist alliance that supports European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for the remainder of the parliamentary term. The alliance, which has been the engine of EU legislation, is showing cracks over issues ranging from migration to the rule of law and budget priorities.
The EPP has increasingly leaned right on migration and climate policy, while the S&D and Renew have pushed back, creating tensions that could complicate the legislative agenda. The upcoming votes on the EU's long-term budget and the response to the energy price surge are likely to test the alliance's ability to deliver.
As EU leaders push for a joint response to energy price surge, the centrist groups will need to find common ground on fiscal and social measures. Similarly, the long-term budget negotiations are set to dominate the autumn, with divisions over funding for defence, climate, and enlargement.
The re-election of the three leaders is seen as a sign of continuity, but it also masks the fragility of the centrist bloc. With the rise of right-wing parties in several member states, the alliance's ability to hold together will be crucial for the remainder of the term.
In a broader context, the European Parliament's centrist majority is also navigating external pressures, including the war in Ukraine and the fallout from the US election. As EU leaders close ranks behind Zelenskyy, the parliament's role in shaping foreign policy and security responses becomes more pronounced.
The leadership votes are procedural, but they set the stage for the political battles ahead. With the European elections now less than a year away, the centrist groups are already positioning themselves for the next mandate, even as their internal cohesion is tested.
