On Wednesday 18 December, the European Parliament decided (448 votes in favour, 161 against and 40 abstentions) to create two new standing committees (see EUROPE 13545/25).
The European Parliament committee on Security and Defence will deal with matters including the implementation and monitoring of the common security and defence policy (CSDP) and related defence-exclusive EU measures (threats to the territorial integrity of the EU, CSDP civilian and military missions outside the EU, complementary measures under the European Peace Facility (EPF), progressive framing of a common EU defence policy).
The European Parliament committee on Public Health will deal with matters including pharmaceutical products and medical devices, public health programmes and preparing for and responding to health crises. The two committees will each have 43 members.
The European Parliament also set up (with 441 votes in favour, 178 against and 34 abstentions) a special committee on the ‘European democracy shield’ (33 members). It also decided (480 votes in favour, 148 against and 20 abstentions) to set up a special committee on the housing crisis in the EU (33 members).
The composition of the two standing committees and the two special committees will be determined by each political group and non-attached MEPs. The composition of these committees will then be announced at the plenary session on 20-23 January 2025. The Chairs and Vice-Chairs of these committees will be elected at their respective constitutive meetings. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)