Background
The European Parliament’s mid‑term reshuffle has opened many top positions for new selection. The Greens’ move follows the resignation of Bas Eickhout, who left his role as group president and MEP in May after undisclosed staff relationships surfaced. Eickhout had been the public face of the Greens in Brussels and the Netherlands. With other parties likely to keep their leaders or have already set succession plans, the Greens’ contest may be the only open race for leadership during this reorganisation. Traditionally, the group elects two co‑chairs. Candidates are intensifying phone outreach and office visits to secure support from the 53 MEPs, making the Greens the sixth‑largest group in the Parliament.
All four candidates broadly endorse a shift from pragmatic negotiations to a more aggressive mobilisation, preparing for the 2029 vote where they hope to reverse the heavy losses of 2024 and encourage MPs to step out of the chamber and onto the streets. POLITICO interviewed each candidate. Voting will take place on Tuesday, with a press conference at 18:15 to announce the winners.
Terry Reintke — Candidate for Continuity
Reintke, from Germany, has served in the group’s leadership since 2022 and is seen by many analysts as the favourite for one of the two co‑chair seats. „I’m fairly optimistic, fairly confident,” she said in an interview. She believes the Greens can exert real influence through pragmatic negotiation but wants a more assertive approach. Reintke highlighted the group’s desire to focus more on external communication, to be direct, closer to people, and to spend more time on the ground. She added that this shift would not remove the Greens from the majority coalition supporting the European Commission. Although politics have moved rightward and green policies have seen setbacks, the group can still win through negotiation, citing the EU’s 2040 climate target as an example.
She said, „I think that will stay.” However, when the group feels it cannot gain anything from an agreement, „we’re ready to enter opposition mode.” This tension defines the current race. Some national delegations favour compromise and continued support for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, while others seek a firmer stance against her conservative European People's Party‑led executive.
Ștefănuță joined the Greens in 2023 after leaving the Liberals. He ran as an independent in the 2024 European elections, gathering over 100,000 signatures and receiving 300,000 votes, which he cites as evidence for his leadership bid. He emphasises modern campaigning skills needed to counter the far right. He also addresses geographic balance, noting the group’s eastern and southern wings seek more diverse leadership. I come from the East and have worked with everyone, regardless of region, he said. He believes he can build bridges and act as a true unifier. Like Reintke, he supports negotiating where possible and rejects automatic opposition. He promises smaller delegations a stronger voice and prevents larger national priorities from dominating. In his introductory email to colleagues, he wrote, I am not always right. We should not be complacent. The 13 single‑person delegations sometimes feel alone.
Isabella Lövin — Former Minister
Instead of asking what they bring, why don’t we ask what they need? How can we help them?
Lövin brings experience and reliability to the race. She has a track record of effective policy implementation and is seen as a steady hand for the Greens’ future direction. Her candidacy signals a blend of seasoned leadership and fresh perspective as the group prepares for the next European election cycle.