Human rights, democracy and the rule of law are at the heart of the powers that were delegated to Belgian Vice-President of the European Parliament Sophie Wilmès (Renew), President Roberta Metsola announced during the September plenary session in Strasbourg.
Metsola announced the powers delegated to the different vice-presidents for their two-and-a-half-year mandate. For Belgium's Wilmès, there was a strong emphasis on human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
"I thank President Metsola for her listening ear and excellent cooperation in defining my powers as Vice-President. These powers are complementary to the parliamentary work I will do in the Committee on Civil Liberties (LIBE)," Wilmès said.
"Defending our fundamental values is a priority for me. With the democratic model clearly under threat around the world and under attack from all sides in Europe by those who indulge in authoritarian adventures, we democrats must show ourselves combative," she said. "We are talking about the great inviolable principles that are part of our identity as Europeans. That is non-negotiable."
An honour and an asset
In practice, Wilmès' powers will take form in her work within the Democracy Support and Elections Coordination Group, which focuses on election observation and supporting parliaments to strengthen democracy and the rule of law in third countries, especially candidate countries.
She will also develop mediation initiatives to promote a culture of dialogue and support proponents of democratic change and human rights defenders. Additionally, she will represent the European Parliament at the United Nations, where it remains important to raise these issues.
Sophie Wilmes was the Prime Minister of Belgium in 2019 and 2020. Credit: Belga
Wilmès will also be responsible for relations with the Belgian authorities on the European Parliament's presence in Brussels. "Welcoming the European Parliament to our capital is an honour, but above all an asset. It is estimated that about a quarter of the Brussels economy depends on the presence of international institutions, and that means jobs and opportunities."
"For the Parliament, Brussels means a workplace close to other EU institutions, such as the Commission," Wilmès said. "So it is in everyone's interest that living together takes place under the best possible conditions, and I wish to contribute to this."
Finally, she will also be vice-chair of the High-level group on Gender Equality and Diversity, among other things. She will work to make Parliament an inclusive place, in line with the values the EU promotes every day.
