The most pressing contest is in the Greens, who must replace co-chair Bas Eickhout following his resignation in May. Names circulating include Danish MEP Kira Marie Peter-Hansen, Belgium’s Sara Matthieu and Parliament Vice-President Nicolae Ștefănuță, according to people familiar with the discussions.
The Greens’ decision to hold an early election in October has prompted the Socialists and Renew to consider doing the same, the three people said. Early votes would allow their leaders to enter the top-jobs negotiations with fresh mandates.
The Left is the other group where a contest could emerge. Under an agreement struck at the start of the mandate, German MEP Martin Schirdewan is due to hand the co-chairmanship to Syriza’s Konstantinos Arvanitis.
But Syriza’s electoral collapse and shrinking delegation have raised questions over whether it should still inherit the post. Italy’s Five Star Movement, now The Left’s second-largest national delegation, is pushing for a bigger role.
Elsewhere, the incumbents appear safe.
The EPP has little appetite to replace Weber after more than a decade in charge. The Socialists are expected to retain García, while Renew is likely to stick with Hayer despite grumbling about the French delegation’s grip on the group.
No major changes are expected at the top of either the European Conservatives and Reformists or the Patriots.
Most group leaders, then, head into summer secure in their own jobs — and preparing to negotiate over everybody else’s.