S&D Group seeks leadership re-election and raw material security in EU Parliament

The Socialists and Democrats (S&D) Group in the European Parliament is set to re-elect Iratxe García as its leader during the current plenary session in Strasbourg. If successful, García will hold the longest mandate in the group’s history.

A major focus of the session is the Critical Raw Materials Act. The S&D Group has led a majority in support of establishing a European Critical Raw Materials Centre. Mohammed Chahim, an S&D vice-president and rapporteur on the act, stated that such a centre is necessary to anticipate supply disruptions, coordinate investment, and protect Europe from geopolitical pressure regarding materials essential for electrification and defense.

Additionally, lawmakers are addressing poverty issues. S&D Vice-President Gabriele Bischoff highlighted that one-fifth of Europeans face risks of poverty or social exclusion, calling for measures such as a 20 billion-euro Child Guarantee and a new EU law on adequate minimum income schemes.