Hadja Lahbib, candidate for the post of European Commissioner for Preparation, Crisis Management and Equality, began her speech at a hearing of MEPs on Wednesday 6 November by noting her background as the daughter of Algerian immigrants, growing up in a disadvantaged region of Belgium, and reminding them that “Europe is about equality, solidarity and opportunity”.
Equality. Although equality is at the heart of Ms Lahbib’s remit, she does not have a dedicated portfolio, as was the...