Weber keeps door open to give Metsola third term

The European Parliament centre-right leader, Manfred Weber, refused to commit to handing the assembly’s presidency to the socialists in 2027, despite their claims of a post-election deal giving them the right to lead the institution.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Weber praised current President Roberta Metsola, calling her “a great, well-respected president,” and said “the institution can be proud to have such a personality in the lead.” Metsola, a member of Weber’s European People’s Party (EPP), is currently serving her second term in the chair.

Yet, asked directly whether the centre-right EPP would support a socialist successor in the second half of the Parliament’s term, Weber dodged the question, saying the focus should remain on “delivering on content” rather than dividing up posts.

Under a purported agreement between the EPP and the socialists, the latter would nominate the next Parliament president for a 2.5-year term starting in early 2027.

“The EPP wants to deliver on content, and socialists have only posts in mind,” Weber said. “We have one and a half years in front of us, and in that time, the socialists can show their reliability.”

The comments came after the leader of European socialists, Stefan Löfven, told reporters last week that “a deal was made after the [2024 European Parliament] election, and that deal is still valid,” referring to a supposed power-sharing arrangement under which a Socialist would replace Metsola mid-term.

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