Séamus Boland – Designated candidate of the Civil Society Organisations' Group for the EESC Presidency 2025-2028

On 4 December, the Civil Society Organisations' Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has elected Séamus Boland as its designated candidate for the next EESC Presidency. At the first meeting of the renewed EESC in October 2025, the entire EESC assembly will be called upon to elect its president for the term 2025-2028.

With a view to the renewal of the EESC in October 2025, the 106 Members of the EESC's Civil Society Organisations' Group were asked to elect their candidate for the 2025-2028 Presidency of the EESC at an internal meeting before the December plenary session. The Group's designated candidate for the presidency is Séamus Boland.

Presenting his candidature, Séamus Boland said that: 'EU decision-makers must close the current innovation gap, develop decarbonisation plans and meet increased security needs, involving civil society organisations at all times'.

Under the heading 'Europe A Safe Place for Freedom and Democracy', Mr Boland announced four priorities:

1. Strengthening the participative role of Members within the EESC.
2. Defending the right of civil society to advocate for equality and social inclusion.
3. The delivery of a fair and just transition for climate change.
4. The promotion of a European Union that is free from extreme ideologies.

Séamus Boland, who is a farmer and represents an organisation for rural and community development at the EESC, has been an EESC member for 13 years. The Irishman has held various roles at the Committee, including the Presidency of the Civil Society Organisations' Group since October 2020.

During his presidency, the overriding priorities of the Civil Society Organisations' Group were the fight against poverty and the role of civil society organisations in combatting poverty. The Group concentrated its work on areas such as empowering vulnerable groups of people and youth, resilient health and care systems, climate change and the just transition, and strengthening civil society, civic space and democracy in the EU. Mr Boland initiated the name change of the Group and a joint open letter with Civil Society Europe, calling on the EU institutions to take concrete measures to implement an open, transparent and regular dialogue with civil society organisations in all policy areas. The open letter was signed by 156 signatories from 26 EU Member States and issued in January 2024.

Mr Boland has worked in civil society for over 40 years, including with young people, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and people living in rural isolation. His policy and political interests include the eradication of poverty, social exclusion and inequality. Mr Boland's full curriculum vitae is available on the EESC website.

The EESC renewal will take place in October 2025. At the first meeting of the new EESC assembly, all 329 Members of the EESC will elect the EESC President for the term 2025-2028.

Background information:

The EESC is made up of 329 Members from the 27 EU Member States. They are nominated by their national governments and appointed by the Council of the European Union for a period of five years. EESC Members work independently in the interests of all EU citizens. They are employers, trade unionists and representatives of various sectors of society, such as farming, consumer and environmental organisations, the social economy, SMEs, professionals, and associations representing persons with disabilities, the voluntary sector, gender equality, youth, academia, and others. The current term of office 2020-2025 will come to an end in September 2025.

Presidential terms are linked to the EESC's renewal and mid-term renewal every two and a half years, unlike the terms of EESC Members, who are elected for five years.

The EESC itself has a rotating presidency system. The 2025-2028 EESC President will come from the Civil Society Organisations' Group, the Vice-President in charge of the budget from the Employers' Group, and the Vice-President in charge of communication from the Workers' Group. The EESC President is responsible for the orderly conduct of the Committee's business and represents the EESC in its relations with other institutions and bodies.