Before the 2027 midterm reshuffle, which will see all top Parliament positions contested, Socialist lawmakers are confident that Spain’s Iratxe García will continue as the chair of the Socialists and Democrats group.
“If Metsola remains, Iratxe will remain, for consistency,” stated one MEP.
“I don’t see Iratxe being challenged,” added a second lawmaker, noting that García would only face opposition if the Italians turned against her — unlikely given the traditional Spain-Italy alliance. “Otherwise united, any challenger would need to match their combined votes, which are substantial,” this person explained. Italians and Spaniards hold 41 of the 136 seats.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and García are scheduled to meet Italian Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein on Saturday, amidst numerous bilateral meetings.
“Oh, so that’s the meeting agenda?” Schlein laughed when asked by POLITICO if she would support García on her way into the room.
The Italians, as the largest delegation in the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), are not expected to seek the presidency due to internal divisions and a lack of clear candidates. Instead, they are likely to retain group Secretary-General Fabrizia Panzetti for another term as part of a power-sharing deal among national leaders.
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