Brussels, 27/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - After three weeks of negotiations, the European Parliament's seven political groups have reached agreement on sharing out the chairs and vice-chairs of the Parliament's political committees.
The Group of the European People's Party (EPP) (Christian-Democrats) will hold the chairs of the following committees: Foreign Affairs (AFET) with Elmar Brok (Germany) at its head; Agriculture (AGRI), which could be chaired by Czeslaw Sikiersky (Poland); Environment (ENVI), which l;ikely to be chaired by Peter Liese (Germany) or Françoise Grossetete (France); Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) with Jerzy Buzek (Poland) or Janusz Lewandowski (Poland); Legal Affairs (JURI); Fisheries (PECH), which is expected to be chaired by Alain Cadec (France); Constitutional Affairs (AFCO); and Budgetary Control (CONT).
The Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) will hold the chairs of the following committees: Culture (CULT); Development (DEVE); Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), with Roberto Gualtieri (Italy) at its head; International Trade (INTA); Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), with Claude Moraes (UK) at its head; Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM); and Human Rights (DROI).
The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) will hold the chairs of the following committees: Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO); and Security and Defence (SED). The Group of the Alliance of Liberal and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) will hold the chairs of the following committees: Budgets (BUDG), with Jean Arthuis (France) at its head; and Regions (REGI). The chair of the Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) committee will be held by the Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL). The Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) will hold the chair of Transport (TRAN) committee. The Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy (EFDD) Group (europhobic) will hold the chair of the Petitions (PETI) committee.
The names of the future committee chairpersons are still the subject of negotiations within the political groups. Their election is planned for Monday 7 July during the constitutive meetings of the parliamentary committees. On Thursday 5 July, the Parliament's plenary session will decide on the composition of the committees. In addition, 14 vice-presidents of the European Parliament will be appointed: - six from the EPP, three from the S&D, and one from each of the other groups. (LC)