Critics highlight lack of representation in EU Parliament

Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – According to data collected by Euronews, the recently elected European Parliament is demonstrating a notable lack of diversity, Out of the 720 Members of the EU Parliament (MEPs) elected, only 37 have diverse backgrounds. 

How does the lack of diversity affect EU political representation?

According to a spokesperson from the European Network Against Racism (ENAR), the absence of meaningful representation in the EU Parliament “reinforces our conclusions that this institution does not mirror the diversity of the European population. This trend underscores the urgent need for more significant inclusion and representation within EU political structures.” 

How does the current diversity in the EU Parliament compare historically?

In 2019, ENAR said that while racial and ethnic minorities comprise at least 10% of the EU population, they only accounted for approximately 36 (5%) of the 751 elected MEPs. This percentage dropped to 4% after the UK left the EU.

Among the French MEPs is Arash Saeidi (GUE/NGL), who was born in Iran. Saeidi, elected on behalf of the left-wing party La France Insoumise, said that he is “not surprised” by the numbers as the EU election is executed nationally, where the picture is identical. “France is not among the worst countries, but it’s the responsibility of the national parties to ensure better representation,” he said. France also has three MEPs from its overseas branches, Réunion and Guadeloupe. In contrast, nations like the Netherlands, which also has territories in the Caribbean, do not include any MEPs from these regions. New lawmaker Rima Hassan (GUE/NGL), who is French and Palestinian, was elected in June and has experience as a lawyer and human rights activist. 

What steps are needed to improve diversity in the EU Parliament?

She stressed that the “political underrepresentation of racialized European residents should concern us, as it mirrors the consequences among many others of systemic racism that we have been attacking for years, but which many policymakers still work to address.”

She said, “The struggle against racial discrimination must include a more significant proportion of candidates from minority experiences, who are best positioned to bring the subject of anti-racism to all levels of political expression, thereby improving democratic legitimacy.” 

What are the concerns raised by ENAR regarding EU diversity?

ENAR stated that the diversity problem extends beyond the EU Parliament. In its investigation of the 2019-2024 mandate, it stressed that the European Commission, which has over 33,000 staff members and effective policy-making power, does not publicise data on racial/ethnic diversity or implement positive steps to improve representation. In a letter mailed to the incoming EU Commission, more than 130 civil society institutions, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, called for equality and non-discrimination to be major priorities in its work for the next five years.