Five political challenges MEPs cannot avoid this summer before mid-term reshuffle

As European Parliament members head into their summer break, a complex agenda of political challenges awaits, particularly concerning the upcoming mid-term leadership reshuffle. The battle for key positions will test existing political agreements and reshape alliances for the next two years.

Discussions will focus on whether the Socialists will challenge Roberta Metsola for her presidency, what concessions her political family might offer to keep her in office, and how each group can protect its share of power within the leadership structures. Answers will begin to emerge after August 31, when MEPs return to Brussels and negotiations intensify.

The stakes are high, with the presidency, 14 vice-president roles, 26 committee presidencies, 78 vice-presidencies, and influential coordinator positions all up for grabs. This competition will test the alliances formed after the 2024 elections and determine if right-wing and far-right groups will gain a more significant role in the institution's leadership.

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in front of autumn nothing will happen

While European People's Party (EPP) leader Manfred Weber has called for a "quiet summer," suggesting nothing will happen before autumn, it is unlikely that the six-week break will stop politicians from calculating votes and strategizing. According to POLITICO's discussions with 20 MEPs, assistants, and European officials, five major dossiers will dominate the behind-the-scenes agenda this summer.

A primary concern for the EPP is the price of maintaining Roberta Metsola's presidency. While her candidacy for a third term is widely considered secure, the Socialists (S&D) claim the presidency should be theirs based on an informal agreement. The EPP must decide what concessions to make to secure the left's support, with the position of Secretary-General of the Parliament, currently held by an EPP ally, being a significant point of negotiation. Other options include vice-president roles or committee leadership positions. Some EPP sources downplay the left's demands, while others note that Metsola might seek support from right-wing and far-right groups, raising concerns about the far-right gaining major political roles.

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We need to know clearly where President Metsola positions herself and if the far-right will receive major political roles in exchange for support