Candidates for key positions in the GUE/NGL parliamentary group, the vice-presidency of the European Parliament, as well as the number of member MEPs are beginning to emerge, following the group's meeting on Wednesday 12 June.
The current Secretary General of the group, Sanna Lepola of Finland, has been reappointed and Dimitrios Papadimoulis of Greece (Syriza) is on track to be presented for a position as European Parliament Vice-President.
All that remains is the vacancy at the head of the parliamentary group. Negotiations are intense and made difficult by the confederalism inherent in the group, which adheres to two fundamental principles: decision-making by consensus and the principle of equality between delegations. Regardless of the number of MEPs in a delegation, its weight in the internal decision-making process remains the same.
In addition, gender parity, geographical distribution, membership of the European United Left (GUE) or Nordic Green Left (NGL) and experience within the Parliament are all taken into account. As one source put it, the principle of compromise within the group often leads to the choice of the most consensual and not the strongest and most outstanding personalities.
Thus, the fact that the Secretary General is Finnish (and therefore from the north of the European Union) should potentially leave the way clear for the group's presidency to go to a member of the GUE, and from southern Europe but who is not from Syriza.
The name Younous Omarjee would spring to mind for many. A seasoned MEP, he is also vice-chairman of the Committee on Regional Development (REGI). But since the potential vice-president of the Parliament on behalf of the group is a man, the delegations could choose a woman to replace the German Gabi Zimmer at the head of the group.
For example, the Portuguese MEP Marisa Matias, a member of the Bloco de Esquerda, was being considered at one point, but members of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) reportedly made their opposition known, due to national tensions between the two parties.
The Spanish delegation, with six members, is divided between three parties and is not in a strong position. Others might consider the Swedish MEP Malin Björk. But her appointment would not respect geographical balances.
Manon Aubry, group president?
So some are considering Manon Aubry, head of the list of the delegation of La France insoumise. It is true that she meets several criteria: she comes from Southern Europe and she is a woman. In addition, she is to be responsible for preparing the political points on behalf of the GUE/NGL for the future President of the European Commission. Problem: For now, she is inexperienced as an MEP.
Negotiations continue. A decision is expected next week. The deadline for the appointment of MEPs to the various positions and the election of the next president has been set for 27 June (See EUROPE 12267/1).
Group size. Two Irish MEPs and a German animal welfare MEP are reportedly on track to join the group. The group could finally reach 42 members. However, the GUE/NGL would still remain the smallest political group under this mandate.
Important positions in the European Parliament. The group would consider taking over the chairmanship of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee, currently held by Thomas Handel of Germany, and also that of the Delegation for Parliamentary relations with Palestine, chaired by Cypriot Neoklis Sylikiotis. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)