Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has suggested that the EU’s so-called Grand Coalition will survive for another five years following her European People’s Party (EPP) election win on June 9.
Despite a surge in hard-right support, parliament data shows that the EPP, Renew and the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) are likely to cumulatively hold onto a majority of seats in the parliament, boding well for the German politician’s chances of reappointment.
“We won the European elections, we are by far the strongest party. We are the anchor of stability,” she said.
“There remains a majority in the centre for a strong Europe. In other words, the centre is holding.”
Amid the rise of populism on the continent, von der Leyen asked the central forces in the European Parliament to unite.
“With these results come great responsibility from the centre,” she said.
“As of tomorrow, we will be reaching out to the big political families that have formed the platform, S&D and Renew.”
“We have worked well together for the last five years, and therefore we are now building on constructive proven relationships,” she added.
"We will be reaching out to the big political families that have formed this [pro-EU] platform. This is S&D and Renew. We have worked well together over the last five years."@vonderleyen hints at Grand Coalition's survival following #EUelections24 pic.twitter.com/6kMs7DRrMn
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) June 9, 2024
Renew President Valérie Hayer and S&D President Iratxe Pérez also hinted at the survival of the alliance.
“We, Renew Europe, proudly intend to be in the driving seat of the next pro-European coalition for the upcoming five years,” Hayer said.
“Our group’s central role will come with a responsibility to make sure our conditions and ambitions are matched.”
A huge thank you to all citizens across Europe who used their voice these past four days to shape a better, more efficient Europe. Our @RenewEurope family will be at the forefront of these ambitions. We are ready to be in the driving seat of the next pro-European coalition.…
— Valérie Hayer (@ValerieHayer) June 10, 2024
Pérez also confirmed that S&D were ready to work “for the pro-European and democratic majority our citizens have called for”, but added that their support would be contingent on the exclusion of both the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group and Identity and Democracy (ID).
“We will not enter into any negotiations that include the far-right,” she said.
“As the second force in Parliament, we, the Social Democratic family, will be pivotal in forming this majority.
“We urge the Conservative EPP to return to the pro-democracy and pro-European majority,” she concluded.
