Italy’s Gianni Pittella was re-elected by a large majority on Wednesday 7 December as head of the S&D group at the European Parliament, where he confirmed his aim to become its president when Martin Schulz leaves (EUROPE 11679).
Pittella also confirmed that he wants to put an end to the grand EPP-S&D coalition (founded by the outgoing German president) and is planning next week to have meetings with all of Parliament's groups, starting with the Greens/EFA and the GUE to test out whether they might support his candidacy.
The Italian explained that by standing for the presidency, he aimed to impact on current policies, for example to change policies for jobs and growth. He also wants a new social agenda.
Gianni Pittella still refuses to countenance all three presidents of European institutions being members of the EPP party, and wants an S&D candidate to be elected to head of Parliament.
He might change his view if someone from the S&D were to become head of the European Council, but he told reporters that there would have to be a written agreement because he didn’t want to accept three EPP presidents.
The Italian said one had to be an alternative option and differentiate oneself, but not in a structured coalition with them, referring to the EPP, convinced that Parliament could work very well without the formal S&D-EPP alliance.
The head of the liberal group, Guy Verhofstadt, explained at a press point on Wednesday that he would issue his decision next week on whether to stand for the presidency.
Italy’s Eleonora Forenza will be the GUE/NGL candidate for the job. She is described as a ‘feminist from southern Europe.’ (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)