Brussels/Gelsenkirchen (dpa/lnw) – Terry Reintke, who was born in Gelsenkirchen, wants to become the leader of the Greens parliamentary group in the European Parliament. “After intensive consideration and numerous discussions, I have decided to run for co-president in October,” says a letter to the parliamentary group on Monday, which is available to the German Press Agency.
The previous chairman Ska Keller had only resigned from the post last week. The 40-year-old German had led the group together with Belgian Philippe Lamberts since 2016 and justified the move by saying that she wanted to make room for a new generation. Her successor is to be elected in mid-October. With currently 72 MEPs, the Green Group is the fourth largest group in the European Parliament.
In her letter, the 35-year-old Reintke refers to the increasing challenges of the coming months, which can only be solved at European level. Among other things, she mentions the Russian war against Ukraine, the energy crisis, too slow a reaction to the climate crisis and increasing social inequality. In addition, the basis for the 2024 European elections must be laid.
Reintke, who describes herself on her website as a “politician, feminist, crossword puzzle lover and Ruhrpott child”, has been a member of the European Parliament since 2014 and has been deputy group leader since this year. Among other things, she campaigns for women’s rights, the protection of democracy and the rule of law, and the rights of LGBTI people.
