Belgian MEPs join new EU Parliament committees

Belgian MEPs elected in June have learned which European Parliament committees they will join this term, including a place on the Security and Defence committee for former prime minister Elio Di Rupo.

In line with the European Union's priorities, two subcommittees from previous legislatures - Security and Defence and Public Health - have been upgraded to full committees.

Two new special committees have also been set up: one on the Democratic Shield initiative, part of the European Commission's political guidelines for the current term, and another to tackle the EU's housing crisis.

Defence, Human Rights and Health

S&D's Elio Di Rupo, who previously managed Walloon arms licences as president of the regional government, joins Wouter Beke (EPP) and Marc Botenga (The Left) on the 43-member defence committee.

Sophie Wilmès (Renew), European Parliament vice-president responsible for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, joined the special committee on these issues alongside Kathleen Van Brempt (S&D) and Assita Kanko (ECR).

Olivier Chastel (Renew), a trained pharmacist, joined the new Health committee, while the new special committee on the housing crisis will not include any Belgian MEPs.

^{MEP Elio Di Rupo during the confirmation hearings of the European Commissioners-designate in the European Parliament, 6 November 2024 © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE}