Renew Europe

Renew Europe. Renew Europe is a political group in the European Parliament established in June 2019, succeeding the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group. The group is a coalition of centrist, liberal, and pro-European political parties from across the European Union, primarily composed of members from the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party and the European Democratic Party. It advocates for policies based on liberalism, social liberalism, and strong European integration, positioning itself as a key centrist force within the European Parliament.

History and formation

The group was officially formed on 20 June 2019 following the 2019 European Parliament election, born from the dissolution of the long-standing Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group. This reorganization was largely driven by the departure of the French La République En Marche! party, led by Emmanuel Macron, from the ALDE Party and its desire to create a new, broader political alliance. The formation was a strategic response to the shifting political landscape in Europe, marked by the rise of populism and the strengthening of the European Green Party. Key founding members included Renaissance, the Free Democratic Party (Germany), and Citizens, with the inaugural group presidency secured by Dacian Cioloș, a former Prime Minister of Romania. The creation of Renew Europe also involved absorbing some members from the former European People's Party group and marked a significant realignment in the European Parliament's centrist bloc.

Political position and ideology

Renew Europe occupies the centre to centre-right of the political spectrum, promoting a platform of classical liberalism, social liberalism, and staunch pro-Europeanism. Its core ideological pillars include advocating for a deepened and more integrated European Union, support for the single market, and the strengthening of common policies on climate change, digital transformation, and the rule of law. The group strongly supports the European Green Deal and ambitious carbon neutrality targets, while also emphasizing economic competitiveness, innovation, and free trade. On foreign policy, it maintains a firm stance towards Russia and supports a robust Common Security and Defence Policy. It often positions itself as a pragmatic, reform-oriented force, distinct from both the European People's Party and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, and is frequently a decisive coalition partner in votes on major legislation within the European Parliament.

Organisation and structure

The group operates under the rules of procedure of the European Parliament and is structured around a presidency, a bureau, and various working groups coordinating policy. The presidency, led by the group president, includes vice-presidents and a treasurer, overseeing political strategy and day-to-day management. Key decision-making bodies include the group meeting, where all members convene, and specialized working groups focused on areas such as economic and monetary affairs, environmental policy, and foreign affairs. Renew Europe is not a formal political party itself but a parliamentary alliance; its primary component parties are members of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party and the European Democratic Party, though it also includes unaffiliated national parties and independent members. The group maintains a secretariat in Brussels to provide administrative and logistical support for its activities in the European Parliament.

Leadership and membership

The group's first president was Dacian Cioloș, followed by Stéphane Séjourné of Renaissance. The presidency is responsible for representing the group externally and steering its political direction. Membership is composed of Members of the European Parliament from a wide array of national parties, with significant delegations from France (Renaissance), the Netherlands (People's Party for Freedom and Democracy and Democrats 66), Germany (Free Democratic Party), and Spain (Citizens and the Basque Nationalist Party). Other notable member parties include ANO 2011 from the Czech Republic, the Republican Party of Armenia (via the EU-Armenia partnership), and Momentum Movement from Hungary. The group's composition is dynamic, with members occasionally defecting to or from other groups like the European People's Party group or the European Conservatives and Reformists.

Electoral results and representation

Following the 2019 European Parliament election, Renew Europe became the third-largest group in the European Parliament, securing 108 seats. Its performance was bolstered by strong showings from La République En Marche! in France and the Free Democratic Party (Germany) in Germany. In subsequent national elections, member parties have experienced varied fortunes; for instance, the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy remained a key part of the governing coalition in the Netherlands, while Citizens suffered significant losses in Spain. The group's influence is exercised through its pivotal role in forming majorities on key votes, often in coalition with the European People's Party and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, such as on the confirmation of the Ursula von der Leyen Commission and the NextGenerationEU recovery fund. Its representation extends beyond the European Parliament, with several member parties holding positions in the European Commission, including Margrethe Vestager and Thierry Breton, and in national governments across the European Union.

Category:Political groups of the European Parliament Category:2019 establishments in the European Union Category:Liberal political groups in Europe