site.btaEuropean Economic and Social Committee Holds 600th Plenary Session and Elects New Leadership

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) concluded its 600th plenary session with the election of a new president, two vice-presidents, section chairs, and the chair of the Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI). The session was the first of the new term, which runs until 2030.

Seamus Boland from Ireland was elected as the 35th president of the EESC. Boland, a farmer by profession, has been a member of the Committee for 13 years and previously chaired the Civil Society Organisations' Group since 2020.

Following his election, Boland said he would work toward a “people-oriented program” that balances economic growth with social inclusion and places civil society at the center of the European agenda. He also emphasized the need to address poverty and strengthen civil society amid growing political and economic instability.

The EESC appointed Marija Hanzevacki of Croatia and Alena Mastantuono of the Czech Republic as vice-presidents. Hanzevacki will oversee communications, while Mastantuono will be responsible for budgetary matters.

During the session, the Committee also elected 39 members of its Bureau, which serves as the EESC’s administrative and political body.

The EESC represents employers, workers, and various civil society organizations from all EU member states. The European Parliament, the Council of the EU, and the European Commission consult the Committee on policy matters within its competence. It holds nine plenary sessions per year, where opinions prepared by working groups are adopted by simple majority.

Members are nominated by EU governments and appointed by the Council of the EU for five-year terms. The 353 seats are divided equally among employers, workers, and civil society representatives, including farmers, small business owners, and consumers.

Bulgarian member Stoyan Chukanov, a livestock farmer representing the Civil Society Organisations' Group, was elected chair of the EESC’s NAT section, which focuses on agriculture, rural development, and the environment. Bulgaria has 12 members in the Committee, including Milena Angelova, Secretary General of the Association of Industrial Capital in Bulgaria; Maria Mincheva, Deputy Chair of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce; Monika Panayotova, member of the Euroclub at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Rumyana Georgieva, Parliamentary Secretary and Head of the Industrial Relations Department at the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria; Plamen Dimitrov, President of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria; Ognyan Atanasov, Vice President of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria; Dimitar Manolov, President of the Podkrepa Labour Confederation;
Veselin Mitov, International Secretary of the Podkrepa Labour Confederation; Bogomil Nikolov, Executive Director of the Bulgarian National Association Active Consumers; Ina Agafonova, Chair of the Management Board of the Via Pontica Foundation; and Zornitsa Rusinova, President of the Economic and Social Council (ESC).

The session concluded with an inauguration ceremony for Boland and his deputies. In his remarks, Boland reiterated the importance of the three EESC groups — trade unions, employers, and civil society organizations — in supporting democratic processes within the EU.

Video messages were delivered by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and EU Commissioner for Justice Michael McGrath.

Speakers at the ceremony included EU Commissioner for Equality and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib, European Parliament Vice-President Younous Omarjee, and Irish Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne.

They congratulated Boland on his election and underlined the EESC’s role in supporting democratic participation and the values of civil society in the EU.

Von der Leyen noted that the EESC has played an important role in shaping EU policy for nearly 70 years while Costa said Europe must put people first and provide opportunities for all.  Costa also highlighted the issues of affordable housing and poverty reduction as key EU priorities linked to improving competitiveness.

The next plenary session of the EESC is scheduled for early December. Topics will include the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, competitiveness and the circular economy, the Single Market strategy, revisions of the Common Fisheries and Agricultural Policies, the EU’s approach to Ukrainian refugees, and the Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM).