Strasbourg (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – For the first time in 20 years, no Greek MEP ran for vice president of the European Parliament, shifting focus to influential positions within European political parties and committees.
For the first time in 20 years, there was no Greek MEP candidate for the role of vice president of the EU Parliament. From 2002 to 2024, Greece held at least one vice president in the EU assembly. In the last intra-parliamentary polls in 2022, two Greek vice presidents were designated: Eva Kaili from PASOK and Dimitris Papadimoulis from SYRIZA, who was elected to the post for the fourth time.
However, this time, no Greek MEP decided to run for any of the 14 vice president positions. As a result, the European Parliament bureau elected on Tuesday has no Greek participation.
Why Was There No Greek MEP for VP This Year?
According to a parliamentary source, although the function of the EU Parliament’s vice president is important, the function of the vice president of a European political party bears more significant political influence. Consequently, New Democracy’s loss to elect a vice president in the European People’s Party (EPP) suggests that “something went wrong.”
Why Did Greek MEPs Opt for Committee Roles Instead?
New Democracy MEP Vangelis Meimarakis was not chosen as vice president of the EPP. Other parties, however, contrived to secure VP positions in their separate European political groups. PASOK’s MEP Giannis Maniatis was designated as VP in the Socialist group, while SYRIZA’s Kostas Arvanitis was elected VP in the Left group. Both decided not to run for European Parliament VP positions.
How Did Greek MEPs Perform in European Political Groups?
According to a party official, New Democracy’s 7 MEPs did not convey interest in any of the four EU Parliament VP sets the EPP was contesting, seeking instead to secure positions in European committees. The election procedure for committee chairs and vice-chairs will take place next Tuesday.
Eliza Vozemberg is conveyed to be named chair of the Transport Committee, Eleonora Meleti has already been designated as coordinator in the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee, Fredi Beleri is competing for a VP position in the Petitions Committee, Manolis Kefalogiannis seeks for the chairmanship of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, and Dimitris Tsiodras is striving for a VP position in the Serbia committee.
