Virginijus Sinkevičius will not seek the co-chairmanship of the European Parliament’s Greens group, declining to run despite receiving encouragement from European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and competing political forces.
Did You Know? Virginijus Sinkevičius currently serves as a Member of the European Parliament and holds the position of vice-chair of the Transport Committee, in addition to leading the Union of Democrats “For Lithuania,” which is part of the ruling coalition in Lithuania.
Virginijus Sinkevičius Rejects Green Group Leadership Bid
Brussels media previously reported that Virginijus Sinkevičius held a distinct advantage in the race. As a former European Commissioner responsible for implementing the Green Deal, he was seen as well-positioned to represent Baltic and Eastern European Union member states that often remain sidelined in high-level European Parliament appointments.
Insiders in the European Parliament corridors noted that his high visibility in Brussels made him a strong fit to lead the Greens, and securing the co-chairmanship would have marked the highest achievement for a Lithuanian representative in the European Parliament. However, the politician did not submit an application by Friday, the final deadline to enter the leadership contest.
“While I received quite a few calls from colleagues to run for the post of Green group co-chair and I am grateful for that, my political gaze today is increasingly turning toward Lithuania. Therefore, I will not fight for this post,” Sinkevičius commented, according to LRT.lt.
Four candidates compete for vacant co-chair positions
The Greens are electing new leadership following the spring resignation of former co-chair Bas Eickhout amid a scandal involving improper personal relationships. The 49-year-old Dutch politician, who had served in the European Parliament since 2009, admitted to maintaining concealed intimate relations with a subordinate, following earlier reports of a romance with 25-year-old Lena Schilling, the youngest member of the European Parliament.
Four candidates are competing for the two vacant co-chair positions ahead of Tuesday’s vote. Terry Reintke of Germany is widely expected to be re-elected given that German representatives form the majority within the faction.
The remaining contest features Romanian candidate Nicolae Ștefănuță highlighting his election-winning abilities, former Swedish minister Isabella Lövin emphasizing her contacts and experience, and Belgian representative Sara Matthieu promising to take the Greens to the streets and join protests while adopting a more critical stance toward the European Commission.
Greens face challenging period following significant election losses
The Greens faction, which currently counts 53 members, faces a challenging period following significant losses in the 2024 European Parliament elections. The political force lost 18 seats during the vote, dropping from the fourth-largest European Parliament faction to the sixth-largest.
Public opinion and electoral support for the grouping continue to decline across Europe. Projections from Politico.eu indicate that if an election were held immediately, the Greens would secure only 42 seats in the European Parliament.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Virginijus Sinkevičius decline to run for the Green group co-chairmanship?
Virginijus Sinkevičius stated that his political focus is increasingly turning toward Lithuania, where he leads the Union of Democrats “For Lithuania,” and noted his ongoing responsibilities as vice-chair of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee.
Who resigned to trigger the European Parliament Green group leadership election?
Former Green group co-chair Bas Eickhout resigned in the spring following disclosures regarding improper personal relationships, including concealed intimate relations with a subordinate and a reported romance with Lena Schilling.
How many seats does the Greens faction currently hold in the European Parliament?
The Greens faction currently has 53 members, having lost 18 seats during the 2024 European Parliament elections to drop from the fourth-largest to the sixth-largest group.