Liberals and Democrats take control of Security, Defence and democratic integrity

In a tough new geopolitical and security environment, European Liberals and Democrats are taking the lead on influential committees in the European Parliament tasked with protecting European citizens.

As a result of negotiations among pro-European groups, Liberals and Democrats have emerged on top, securing an upgrade of Parliament’s SEDE Committee (Security and Defence), which becomes a full-fledged legislative body and the establishment of a new special Committee on the European Democracy Shield to tackle malicious interference in democratic processes in the Union. MEPs approved the new arrangements in a vote today in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Billy Kelleher MEP, First Vice-President of Renew Europe and lead negotiator on the package, said:

"Despite some initial obstructionism, we finally have a deal that will allow for the upgrading of crucial existing committees and the establishment of vital new committees to reflect the new challenges the EU faces and the concerns of our citizens.

With HR/VP Kaja Kallas and Commissioner Michael McGrath in key posts in the European Commission and these crucial roles in the Parliament, our future security and our Union’s democratic integrity are in safe liberal hands."

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann MEP, Chair of the SEDE Committee, said:

"I am very pleased that the European Parliament has decided to upgrade the former Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE). This decision follows the parliamentary initiative to give the issue of security and defence the attention it deserves in these crisis-ridden times.

As a full committee, SEDE will work closely with the new Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, to intensively strengthen the European security architecture and make it fit for the future. My colleagues and I will use the next few weeks to create the structures to establish the new SEDE as a strong supervisory body and driving force in the field of European security and defence policy. I would like to thank the political groups and committees involved for the constructive negotiations on this important topic."

Nathalie Loiseau MEP, candidate to be Chair of the new special Committee on the European Democracy Shield, said:

"I welcome the agreement today on the mandate of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield. The continuing attacks on our democracies by malevolent actors, both state and non-state, are jeopardising our sovereignty, our independence and our ability to act. A hybrid war is being waged against us, and we have been slow to wake up and take actions. We must act and coordinate as Europeans. Let's get to work!"