Brussels – The rotation between the Popular and Socialists for the Presidency of the European Parliament scheduled for 2027 will not smile on the Democratic Party. Announcing this is Pina Picierno, Vice-President of the European Parliament, fresh from confirmation: “I think I can anticipate that it will not be an Italian to lead the European Parliament,” she unexpectedly said from Strasbourg. It’s a no-go for the PD, the largest delegation in the Socialist family in Brussels, which, after relinquishing the group’s leadership, would have had legitimate aspirations for the lead role in the Parliament.
The European elections in early June changed the balances within the Socialists, where, according to tradition, the largest delegation is responsible for appointing the group leader: the PD in Brussels now total 21, compared to 20 in the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE). Despite this, on June 25, the group unanimously decided to reappoint its leader, Iratxe Garcia Perez, who comes from the PSOE. That day, the PD’s head of delegation, Brando Benifei, declared that Secretary Elly Schlein had reached an agreement with the Spaniards whereby at mid-term – at the beginning of 2027 – the PD would have had “one of the top jobs in the Parliament.”
By top jobs, Benifei meant the Presidency of the European Parliament or the leadership of the group, in a hypothetical relay to head the Socialists group at the turn of the legislature. According to statements made today (July 17) by Picierno, one of the most influential figures within the PD delegation, the former is already out. “We will look within the S&D for the best solution,” she added, explaining that even in the negotiations for the Presidency of the Socialists, “the PD has put group unity before what might have seemed legitimate demands.”
That leaves the possibility of a rotation with Garcia Perez at the head of the Socialists. The PD with the highest post in the progressive family is currently Camilla Laureti, First Vice President of the Spaniard. But the PD has yet to lift its reservations about its delegation leader, who could make legitimate aspirations about the post of group leader in 2027. Outgoing Benifei, Nicola Zingaretti, or Stefano Bonaccini. The decision is slow in coming, so much so that in the inaugural plenary session in Strasbourg the role is still officially held by Benifei. “We are talking. Certainly in these hours will come all the pending decisions,” Picierno assured in this regard.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
