Key facts
- Terry Reintke and Nicu Ștefănuță were elected as the new leadership team for the Greens in the European Parliament on Tuesday.
- Reintke won another term as co-chair.
- Ștefănuță was elected over Sara Matthieu and Isabella Lövin.
- The Greens/EFA group currently has 53 lawmakers, down from 74 MEPs after the 2019 European election.
STRASBOURG — The Greens in the European Parliament elected Terry Reintke and Nicu Ștefănuță as their new leadership team on Tuesday, signaling a commitment to continuity and an energetic campaign ahead of the 2029 European elections. Reintke secured another term as co-chair, while Ștefănuță, a Romanian MEP, won the second leadership position over competitors Sara Matthieu and Isabella Lövin.
Reintke described the outcome as a mandate for "a very energetic two and a half years," emphasizing a continued focus on climate protection, social justice, democracy, and the rule of law. She stated that the renewed leadership would maintain the group's existing political course while actively campaigning for achievements within the European Parliament.
Ștefănuță presented the new leadership as an effort to expand the Greens' appeal beyond environmental issues, targeting younger voters and addressing core economic concerns such as the high cost of living, energy prices, and economic stability. This approach aims to balance a sense of renewal with the party's established strategies.
Reintke has led the Greens/EFA group since 2022. Ștefănuță, who joined the group in March 2023, has seen a rapid rise, becoming a vice-president of the European Parliament in July 2024. His election provides a different geographical profile to the leadership, which Reintke highlighted as bringing "a broader perspective on the different realities in Europe."
The leadership contest was triggered by the resignation of Bas Eickhout as co-chair and MEP in May, following revelations of inappropriate relationships. His departure created an opening for new leadership as the group seeks to regain political influence. The Greens/EFA group currently comprises 53 lawmakers, a decrease from the 74 MEPs elected in 2019, when they were the fourth-largest force in Parliament. Reintke indicated that the group has a "strategy of growth" and is exploring potential enlargements in the coming months.