24/01/24 (Agence Europe) – French MEP Valérie Hayer is due to be elected chair of the European Parliament’s Renew Europe group on Thursday 25 January, following the departure of MEP Stéphane Séjourné, who has been appointed French Minister of Foreign Affairs. Also tipped as a potential successor, the current interim chair, Dutchman Malik Azmani (see EUROPE 13327/8), withdrew from the internal election campaign, leaving Ms Hayer as the sole candidate to head the group. Currently co-chair of the French delegation, she is, like Mr Séjourné, a member of the French presidential majority party Renaissance, enabling the party to retain control of the presidency of the Renew Europe group, the third largest political force in the European Parliament. Ms Hayer should be elected by acclamation, unless a number of members request a secret ballot. (PLD)