Teresa Ribera Named PSOE Candidate for European Parliament Elections

Teresa Ribera, the Spanish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, has been announced as the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) candidate for the upcoming European Parliament elections. The PSOE's Federal Executive Commission decided to nominate Ribera, 54, to lead the socialist electoral list in the elections scheduled for June 6-9, 2024, with voting in Spain taking place on June 9.

Ribera's nomination positions her as a strong contender for a post in the European Commission, potentially occupying a Green Deal-related vice presidency. She is a respected technocrat who recently led the EU's climate diplomacy at the COP28 climate conference. The PSOE stated that Ribera will continue to resist right-wing politicians' "rejection" of the green agenda and defend "maximum ambition and social justice in climate policies" as a candidate.

Why this matters: Ribera's candidacy represents a strategic move by the PSOE to position itself as a leading voice in the fight against climate change and to counter the agenda of far-right parties in Europe. Her potential role in shaping EU climate policy could have significant implications for Spain and the broader European Union.

In the previous European Parliament elections in 2019, the PSOE's candidate was Josep Borrell, who was then serving as Spain's Foreign Minister and is now the head of EU diplomacy. Ribera joined the Spanish government in 2018 and has been a close and trusted supporter of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. She played a key role in domestic politics, including the implementation of the "Iberian Exception" and the coordination of Spain's recovery plan after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ribera expressed her commitment to defending the idea that there can be no lasting economic prosperity without considering environmental aspects, both in Spain and in Europe. "I will continue to defend the idea that there is no lasting economic prosperity if we do not take into account the environmental variable, in Spain and also in Europe," Ribera stated.

As a senior politician from a large country like Spain, Ribera is expected to be considered for one of the available Commission vice-president positions, with the portfolio overseeing energy and the environment likely being her top pick. She is well-connected to her European colleagues and has the support of Mediterranean countries, as well as allies in Vienna and Berlin who support renewable energy.

Key Takeaways

• Teresa Ribera, Spanish Deputy PM, named PSOE candidate for 2024 EU elections.
• Ribera positioned as contender for EU Commission vice-presidency on Green Deal.
• PSOE aims to position itself as leading voice against climate change and far-right.
• Ribera committed to defending economic prosperity with environmental considerations.
• Ribera expected to be considered for EU Commission vice-president position on energy/environment.