The Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) is waiting for the executive meeting next Monday for Pedro Sánchez to formally confirm the selection of Teresa Ribera as the head of the European elections list on June 9th. The signals from both the party and the government point towards Ribera’s candidacy for Brussels, although it has not been officially confirmed yet. The choice of Ribera, who currently serves as the Third Vice President and Minister for Ecological Transition, would be a declaration of intent by Sánchez to confront the right and the far-right on the environmental front, with Ribera leading the fight against climate change. Her contributions to the reform of the electricity market and her strong stance on environmental issues make her a strong candidate for the position.
The PSOE doesn’t have much time to finalize the list for the European elections, with the federal committee set to approve it on April 27th. The day before, the federal commission for lists will meet to finalize the candidate list. The deadline for party branches to propose candidates is April 20th. While Ribera, a party member in Madrid, is expected to receive strong support from her federation, Sánchez will have the final say on the candidate selection. Both Ribera and Sánchez have hinted at her potential candidacy, with Sánchez praising her as a respected figure in European climate policies. The party aims to secure a significant number of seats in the elections and maintain its position as a leading force in European social democracy.
The PSOE has positioned itself as an environmentalist party in recent years, with Sánchez advocating for green policies. Ribera has emerged as the most likely candidate to lead the European elections list after former candidate Josep Borrell declined to run again. Ribera, who has evolved from a technical expert to a prominent political figure within the party, faces the challenge of rallying voters concerned about climate change on June 9th. Additionally, she may be nominated as the Commissioner for Energy and Environment in the European Commission later in June, potentially becoming a key figure in shaping EU environmental policies and countering the rise of the far-right in Europe.
Despite challenges such as opposition from agricultural groups and criticism for her environmental policies, Ribera is expected to attract voters in urban areas with her focus on sustainability and the environment. The party hopes to leverage her candidacy to win over disenchanted voters from other parties and appeal to young, urban voters. While Borrell’s successful campaigns in the past have boosted the party’s performance, Ribera’s candidacy presents an opportunity to tap into the growing support for environmental issues. The decision by Borrell to step aside due to his responsibilities as the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs has paved the way for Ribera’s candidacy.
The PSOE will be closely monitoring the outcome of the European elections, with the party banking on Ribera’s candidacy to drive its performance. Ribera’s nomination is seen as a strategic move to consolidate the party’s position on environmental issues and gain support in urban areas. As the political landscape in Europe shifts towards a more conservative outlook, Ribera’s potential role in shaping EU environmental policies could be crucial in countering the influence of far-right parties. The upcoming elections will be a test for Ribera’s ability to appeal to a broad spectrum of voters and secure a strong position for the PSOE in the European Parliament.
