European Parliament Elections Signal Shifts in Leadership Prospects
Manfred Weber, the leading figure of the European People’s Party group in the European Parliament, indicated that the election results point toward Ursula von der Leyen receiving broad backing to continue as president of the European Commission. This assessment reflects the EPP’s confidence that the bloc can rally enough support across groups to secure a second term for von der Leyen at the helm of the Commission [RIA News].
To secure re-election as EC president, von der Leyen would need the backing of at least 361 Members of Parliament. The math of coalition-building is central to the path ahead, as different groups weigh the political calculus of another five-year mandate.
Weber stated that since the election victory is with the EPP, there is now a path to seek support from other political groups for von der Leyen’s continued presidency [RIA News]. This candidacy comes amid a broader reshuffle as the Parliament begins to form its new work priorities and leadership teams for the forthcoming term.
Initial results from the European elections held from June 6 to June 9 placed the EPP in first position, securing 181 of the 720 seats in the Parliament. The Socialists and Democrats followed in second place with a substantial share of seats. In contrast, the right-wing Identity and Democracy group and the conservative Reformist bloc together held a significant minority of seats, tallying 133 between them. These numbers frame the bargaining landscape for the formation of the next Parliament and the selection of top leadership roles [RIA News].
An additional 51 seats were allocated to Members of Parliament who were not affiliated with any official faction, including notable party representatives such as the Alternative for Germany. This dispersion underscores the complexity of coalition dynamics and the task of constructing a stable majority in strategic votes and committee assignments for the new term [RIA News].
Commentary from the period also highlighted broader discussions about how the Parliament will engage with the European Commission and the direction of policy in areas ranging from economic policy to foreign and security affairs. The conversations reflect ongoing deliberations about balance among large groups and the influence of those outside formal factions on the legislative agenda for the coming years.
Furthermore, remarks attributed to Kirill Logvinov, the former Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the European Union, touched on the election process and its implications for EU–Russia relations, illustrating the broader geopolitical context in which the Parliament operates. These insights are part of a wider public debate about how EU institutions will navigate external challenges in the new term [RIA News].
As the political landscape evolves, stakeholders across Europe will be watching closely how coalition talks unfold, how leadership roles are allocated, and how policy priorities will be negotiated in the weeks ahead. The outcome will shape the direction of European governance and the functioning of EU institutions during the next legislative cycle [RIA News].