23/11/2021 (Agence Europe) – France’s Manon Aubry and Germany’s Martin Schirdewan have been confirmed as leaders of the European Parliament’s The Left group until the end of the mandate in 2024, Ms Aubry herself announced at a press conference on Tuesday morning, 23 November in Strasbourg, on the sidelines of the plenary session. The French MEP said that their objectives are to fight against austerity policies, rising energy prices and to prepare for the European elections in 2024, at a time when “the far right is on the rise” and political reference points are becoming “blurred”. Marisa Matias (Portugal), Sira Rego (Spain), Nikolaj Villumsen (Denmark) and João Pimenta Lopes (Portugal) were confirmed as the group’s vice-presidents. The decision was taken at the Group Bureau meeting on Tuesday 16 November and announced at the Group meeting on Monday 22 November. (PH)