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Negotiations over a coalition agreement between the European Parliament’s main pro-European groups will continue into Wednesday (20 October), with the impasse over the next European Commission expected to be resolved.
After a spat between the centre-right EPP and the centre-left S&D came to a head last week, the leaders of the two groups, along with the leader of the liberal Renew Europe, have reached an understanding that they will agree on a set of joint priorities for the next five years, based heavily on Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s political guidelines for her second term.
Multiple parliamentary sources told Euractiv on Tuesday evening (19 November) that the three pro-European groups could jointly unveil an agreement on Wednesday.
The leaders of the three groups, Manfred Weber (EPP), Iratxe García Pérez (S&D) and Valérie Hayer (Renew), met throughout Tuesday, concluding with a late-night meeting that ended without an agreement, as reported by EFE.
While an agreement would appear to reinforce the strained traditional pro-European centrist majority that has driven EU politics for decades, Euractiv understands the final wording is unlikely to explicitly prohibit the EPP from building majorities with far-right forces.
All commissioners-designate not yet approved – the six executive vice-presidents and Hungary’s Olivér Várhelyi – are also expected to be greenlit by coordinators this week or early next Monday. This includes the three candidates who have been at the centre of a political deadlock since last week – Spain’s Teresa Ribera (S&D), Italy’s Raffaele Fitto (ECR) and Várhelyi (affiliated with PfE).
Euractiv understands the deal could see some reshaping of portfolios to assuage concerns raised by MEPs following this month’s confirmation hearings. Várhelyi, commissioner-designate for health and animal welfare, is likely to be stripped of responsibility for reproductive rights and pandemic preparedness after the Parliament’s progressive wing objected to the topics falling under the Viktor Orbán-backed candidate’s remit. ...
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