EESC to elect new president and vice presidents

The 350 members of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) were renewed on 21 September, for a period of five years, of which 40% were new members.  During the Constitutive plenary of the new term on 7 October, members will vote for a new president and two vice presidents.

The president and the two vice presidents will be in post for a term of two-and-a-half-years and will be elected by simple majority. The position of president normally rotates between the three groups of the Committee in turn (Employers, Workers and Various Interests). The two previous presidents were elected from the Various Interests and Employers Groups. During the Constitutive Plenary, in addition to the new president and vice presidents being elected, a number of other positions will be elected from among the members, such as the group presidents and section presidents and, in addition, a new bureau will be constituted.

Background

Established in 1957, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is a unique advisory body of the European Union which ensures that civil society organizations have a decisive say in Europe’s development.3 key missions of the EESC: (1) ensuring that European policies and legislation tie in better with economic, social and civic circumstances on the ground; (2) promoting the development of a more participatory European Union which is in touch with popular opinion; and (3) promoting the values on which European integration is founded and advancing the role of civil society organizations.The EESC is made up of 350 members from all 28 member states, appointed for a period of five years. They work independently in the interests of all EU citizens. These members are not politicians but employers, trade unionists and representatives of groups, such as professional and community associations, farmers, youth organizations, women’s groups, consumers, environmental campaigners and many more.

Share this article: