08/06/2021 (Agence Europe) – The conservative ECR group believes that it should keep the chairmanship of the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, following the departure of Slovakian Lucia Nicholsonová who joined Renew Europe in May (see EUROPE 127256/31). The group believes that the position must remain in conservative hands, otherwise the balance struck under the d’Hondt method would be broken, setting a precedent. At the Conference of Presidents on Thursday 3 June, the other political groups were not in agreement with the ECR. When MEPs change political groups, they keep the seat they occupy for the remaining time of their two and a half year mandate, pursuant to the European Parliament’s rules of procedure. Ms Nicholsonová will therefore continue to serve as Chair for the remaining two and a half years of her term. (PH)