The European political stage resonates with powerful female voices. Katrín Jakobsdóttir’s progressive strides in Iceland, Mette Frederiksen’s determined leadership in Denmark, Georgia Meloni’s bold presence in Italy, Ingrida Šimonytė’s dynamic governance in Lithuania, and Ana Brnabić’s trailblazing tenure in Serbia set the backdrop.
Amidst this powerful ensemble, Kaja Kallas’s ascendancy in Estonia hints at an intriguing trend. As these leaders set the tempo for what’s to come in the EU 2024 elections, the editors at PartyParty are asking themselves: which female MEPs are on the ascendancy and may be poised to take on future leadership roles in their countries? Read on to see the rising female stars in today’s European political landscape.
Five female MEPs on the rise
Roberta Metsola from Malta (EPP)
Born in 1979, the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola stands as a testament to the growing influence of female leaders in European politics. A member of the European People’s Party (EPP), Metsola is the youngest ever politician and just the third woman to hold the role of President of the European Parliament. Her journey from a Maltese MEP to one of the highest ranks in the EU illustrates her political acumen and charisma.
Her participation as the main speaker at the Independence Day mass meeting of the Nationalist Party (PN) last September in Malta, however, has sparked speculation about Matsola’s future political trajectory. She is increasingly seen as a key figure in Maltese politics with potential prime ministerial aspirations.
Metsola’s political strength lies in her ability to appeal to a wide audience of Maltese voters. Her speeches, characterised by their non-controversial nature, appeal to both the core supporters of the PN and to those disenchanted with the current political class in Malta.
This inclusive approach positions her uniquely in the Maltese political landscape, making her a unifying figure capable of attracting votes beyond the PN’s traditional base. Her leadership style contrasts sharply with current PN leader, Bernard Grech. Metsola’s approach is more eloquent and less confrontational, focusing on inclusivity and appealing to the lowest common denominator, while emphasising hard work, enterprise, and a modern outlook that aligns with environmental and social priorities.
She also faces challenges. Her association with the PN’s brand, which has over the last decade experienced internal strife and strategic blunders, is a potential hinderance. Additionally, her stance on abortion may be at odds with the more conservative grassroots of her party. The mother of four boys, Metsola has stated her personal opposition to abortion, which is outlawed in Malta, but said she would represent parliament’s position while in office, which is that safe access to abortion is a human right.
Despite these challenges, Metsola’s charisma and political acumen position her as a potential game-changer in Maltese politics, offering a vision of a meritocratic, aspirational Malta. Metsola’s rising prominence and wide voter appeal position her as a strong potential Prime Ministerial candidate. Her experience as EU Parliament President has elevated her profile beyond national politics, making her a key figure shaping Malta’s future discourse.
Katarina Barley from Germany (S&D)
Born in 1968, Katarina Barley is a German politician and lawyer, boasting a notable career in both national and European politics. Since 2019, she has served as an MEP, where she holds the position of Vice-President. Before her European political career, Barley sat in the Bundestag for the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).
In Chancellor Angela Merkel’s fourth cabinet, she served as Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection, and held the role of Acting Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and the Federal Minister of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth. She was also SPD’s Secretary-General, contributing significantly to national election campaigns.
Known for her commitment to European integration, she took strong stands on international issues, including China and democratic challenges in Hungary and Poland. Looking forward, Barley is set to be the SPD’s lead candidate for the 2024 European Elections again.
With Germany’s next federal elections not scheduled until October 2025, it remains to be seen if the SPD can reverse its steady decline. If they succeed, Katarina Barley could emerge as a potential candidate for chancellor. Her extensive experience in both national and European politics, coupled with her reputation as a vocal opponent of the extreme right, could position her well in a time when boundaries between geopolitical and domestic affairs increasingly intersect. June 2024 will ultimately reveal her political prospects.
Anna Donáth from Hungary (Renew)
In Hungary’s dynamic political arena, the former party leader of Momentum Anna Donáth has made significant strides. In 2015, she formed Momentum, a centrist-liberal political party in Hungary, as a response to what its founders perceived as a lack of viable alternatives in Hungarian politics. The party’s core principles revolve around fostering transparency, combating corruption, and championing a progressive and inclusive vision for Hungary’s future.
Donáth became the leader of Momentum in 2021 after years of being in the leadership committee. Under her guidance, Momentum gained traction, appealing to a broad demographic by focusing on minority engagement and countryside voters.
Donáth’s political career took a significant leap forward when she was elected as an MEP in 2019. She wasted no time making her mark as a vocal advocate for democratic values and human rights in her work for the LIBE committee.
Her speeches and interventions on the floor of the European Parliament were always focused on the role of European institutions influencing Hungarian politics. This allowed her to have an increasing media presence in Hungary.
She gained recognition by using any platform possible to speak about comprehensive democratic reforms, including measures to strengthen checks and balances, ensure electoral transparency, and safeguard the independence of the judiciary. She became a national political figure despite her role in Brussels, which led her to become the face of her party in their most recent political campaigns.
Donáth emerges as a compelling candidate for the position of Prime Minister, representing a refreshing departure from the political norm in Hungary. Her vision for a more democratic, transparent, and socially inclusive Hungary resonates with a diverse spectrum of citizens. Whether or not she ascends to the role of Prime Minister in a future Hungary without Fidesz, Donáth’s impact on Hungarian politics is undeniable, and her trajectory is one to watch closely in the coming years.
Tineke Strik from the Netherlands (Greens-EFA)
Martina Hermina Antonia (Tineke) Strik may not be as well known as her Dutch Green colleague and EFA Vice-President Bas Eickhout. But she has recently gained a lot of attention thanks to an issue that has once again risen in political importance: migration.
The 62-year-old politician, an MEP since 2019, was not only the Parliament’s rapporteur on a recent Frontex report, but is also an academic expert as a professor of citizenship and migration law at Radboud University in Nijmegen.
Migration and asylum will remain high on the agenda of the EU and its member states for the foreseeable future, not least in the Netherlands.
Having made a name for herself as a competent progressive voice on an issue where left-of-centre parties often struggle, Strik will have plenty of opportunities to expand her own brand in the coming months.
In a scenario where the GroenLinks coalition led by Frans Timmermans fails to win the upcoming Dutch elections, he could return to Brussels, leaving an opening for a Dutch Green politician who hasn’t been on everyone’s agenda so far.
Veronika Vrecionova from Czechia (ECR)
Vrecionová of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) is a rising star in Czech politics, having navigated the complex landscape of national and European political arenas for nearly two decades. Her political journey, from the Czech Chamber of Deputies and Senate to her current role in the European Parliament, highlights her focus on agriculture and rural issues.
Her recent elevation to the chairmanship of the ODS MEP club in 2023, succeeding Jan Zahradil, signifies her growing influence within the party.
Vrecionová’s intent to lead the ODS independently in future elections reflects her commitment to shaping the party’s direction, especially at a time when it harbours diverse internal factions ranging from hard eurosceptics to pro-Brussels advocates.
Vrecionová’s position in the ODS is particularly noteworthy given the party’s internal dynamics, which include a hard eurosceptic, illiberal wing that supports figures like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. This wing is represented by Jan Zahradil and Alexandr Vondra. There is also the pro-Brussels, but anti-euro, wing led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala. Her pragmatic and citizen-centric approach to politics allows her to navigate these internal divisions effectively, advocating for a balanced and rational policy perspective. As Czech politics continues to evolve, Vrecionová’s ability to bridge diverse viewpoints within her party and her focus on pragmatic solutions to complex issues mark her as a significant figure in shaping the future trajectory of Czech and European politics.
Europe’s evolving political palette
These female MEPs represent the winds of change to come in European politics. Their rise signifies not only representation, but also a promise of a reinvigorated European vision.
Who is another female MEP on the rise? Let us know in the comments!
