On Tuesday 23 July, the MEPs on the European Parliament’s Development Committee (DEVE) renewed their bureau for a further two and a half years. Ireland’s Barry Andrews (Renew Europe) succeeds Sweden’s Tomas Tobé (EPP) as Chair.
“Throughout my career, I have been a steadfast advocate of sustainable development, human rights and economic growth. These values are at the core of my legislative work and public advocacy”, said Mr Andrews, describing his election by acclamation as a “huge honour”, there being no other candidate running against him for the post.
Among the other nominations, MEPs Isabella Lövin (Greens/EFA, Swedish), Hildegarde Bentele (EPP, German) and Robert Biedroń (S&D, Polish) were also elected by acclamation as 1st, 2nd and 4th Vice-Presidents respectively.
Sweden’s Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew Europe) was elected 3rd Vice-President, receiving 16 votes to the 8 obtained by her rival, Hungary’s György Hölvényi, a member of the ‘Patriots for Europe’ Group.
The latter has criticised the composition of the committee, pointing to a ‘cordon sanitaire’ of pro-European groups that keeps far-right groups out of the European Parliament’s top jobs (see EUROPE 13454/2). “When the third largest group is excluded from important positions in Parliament, how is diversity reflected? The Rule of law is being undermined”, he declared.
The MEPs on the DEVE committee will meet on Wednesday 4 September. (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)