Green MEPs Will Elect Co-Presidents on October 6
The Green group in the European Parliament will vote for new leadership in Strasbourg next week.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Elections
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Fifty-three Green MEPs are scheduled to cast their votes on October 6, 2026, to select two new co-presidents. Candidates Terry Reintke, Sara Matthieu, and Nicolae Ștefănuță are vying for the leadership positions.
Why it matters
The election follows the resignation of former co-leader Bas Eickhout and will set the group's political strategy for the coming term. The selected co-presidents will shape the Greens' parliamentary influence and response to rising far-right political trends.
A total of 53 MEPs will participate in the election to fill the leadership vacancies. Group rules mandate that the two co-presidents must consist of either two women or one man and one woman.
The players
Terry Reintke
She is an incumbent group leader who has served in the position since 2022.
Sara Matthieu
She is a candidate for the leadership who is known for prioritizing public protest visibility.
Nicolae Ștefănuță
He is a vice president of the European Parliament and a candidate focused on countering far-right political influence.
Bas Eickhout
He is a former co-leader of the Green group who has resigned from the position.
Kira Marie Peter Hansen
She is a member of the Green group who has confirmed she will not seek the leadership role.
The details
Candidates for the positions must submit their bids by a Friday deadline to be eligible for the upcoming vote. Sara Matthieu is focusing on increasing visibility through street activism, while Nicolae Ștefănuță seeks to broaden the group's geographic appeal and form alliances against far-right factions.
Timeline
2022: Terry Reintke began serving as group leader.
September 29, 2026: Sara Matthieu announced her candidacy for leadership.
Friday, October 2, 2026: Deadline for MEPs to submit leadership bids.
October 6, 2026: Green MEPs will vote for co-presidents in Strasbourg.
Political Context
The opposition party and dissenting members may push for shifts in the leadership's ideological focus. They often argue that the group needs to pivot away from specific activist-heavy agendas to better reflect broader continental interests.
The outcome of this leadership election will dictate which policies and legislative priorities the Green group pursues in the European Parliament. Citizens and stakeholders should expect shifts in how the group votes on future environmental and civil liberty regulations.
The takeaway
The Green group's leadership transition will test their internal unity and future policy direction. Observers should monitor the October 6 vote to see how the party balances activist priorities with the need to build a broader legislative coalition.
What happens next
MEPs will cast their ballots to elect two co-presidents on October 6, 2026.
Further reading
For more background on the parliamentary process, explore our Elections coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Euractiv DE.
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