The European Economic and Social Committee elects Ireland's Séamus Boland to its top post, with opportunities, security and resilience as guiding principles of mandate

The new president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) vows to put civil society at the heart of Europe through a people-centred programme that balances economic growth and social inclusion and ensures everyone has a fair chance to thrive. Topping his priorities are the eradication of poverty by providing opportunities and protecting and empowering civil society to ensure Europe stays true to its democratic and social core amid a shrinking of civic space and growing political and economic instability.

Séamus Boland has become the 35th president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the second Irishman to head the EU body representing organised civil society in its 67 year long history (and the first Irishman in the body’s current form). The two new vice-presidents elected to join him at the helm of the EESC are Alena Mastantuono (Czech Republic) for budget and Marija Hanževački (Croatia) for communication. The new Bureau, led by Mr Boland and succeeding Oliver Röpke, will serve for two and a half years, until March 2028.

Central to the new president's vision is the fight against poverty. With over a fifth of the EU population at risk of poverty and social exclusion, and extreme poverty levels rising despite economic progress, the new president is committed to eradicating it. His approach focuses on collaboration to protect and help the most vulnerable, while balancing economic prosperity, active labour market policies and social inclusion.

Following his appointment, Mr Boland said: 'With so many instabilities impacting Europe, it is key that the EU embraces change. The EESC should play an essential role in shaping that change and in building this new Europe, which is prepared, resilient and self-reliant. This is why during my mandate as President I will prioritise a people-centred work programme that puts civil society at the heart of the EU. My vision is of an EU of opportunities, security and resilience, that together we can help deliver.'

Mr Boland, who serves as the CEO of the Irish Rural Link outside the Committee, has long championed the inclusion of rural communities and other often overlooked groups, including minorities and young people.

The EESC appointed its new leadership on 22 October, during its 600^th plenary session, marking  the start of the 2025-2030 term, with 36% new members. The EESC will begin its new mandate rejuvenated and with a higher proportion of women. The average age of members fell from 59 in the last mandate to 55 in the new one. Women now make 39% of the Committee, compared to 33% five years ago.

The motto of the new presidency is 'Civil Society at the Heart of Europe' and the president's programme will be based on three key pillars:

• A Union of Opportunities — tackling poverty, social exclusion and youth challenges through social justice, affordable housing, and structured youth participation.
• A Union of Security — defending civic space, democracy and media freedom, while supporting the EU’s preparedness and solidarity with Ukraine and other partners.
• A Union of Resilience — advancing the European Green Deal, sustainable rural development, food security and water resilience (Blue Deal) to strengthen Europe’s future.

The EESC is to act as a catalyst for civil society participation — a platform where employers, workers and organisations can listen, debate and shape EU policy-making together. The Committee, he stressed, has a shared responsibility to demonstrate the EU’s value, sound the alarm when needed, and stay closely connected to the concerns of citizens and civil society across Europe.

The elected vice-president for budget, Ms Mastantuono, said: 'We must ensure the Commission, Council and Parliament see the EESC not as a procedural box to tick, but as an indispensable partner shaping smarter, more effective EU laws for businesses and citizens alike. We know that without a healthy economy, there is no social progress, and without social stability, economic gains are fragile. Every decision we take in the Committee must reflect this vital balance'.

The new vice-president in charge of communication Ms Hanževački said: 'It is an honour and a pleasure to take on this responsibility today in an institution whose values I strongly share and believe in. In an era of information overload, rapid technological change, social and economic challenges, armed conflicts and fake news, listening to citizens’ voices has never been more important. We represent citizens who are part of social partners and civil society organisations. To make sure their perspectives truly shape our core mission - advising the EU institutions - we must communicate with clarity, consistency, and transparency.'

The president will present his programme on 23 October, alongside interventions from European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib, Vice president of the European Parliament Younous Omarjee and Irish Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, and European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath will address the plenary via a video message.

The inauguration ceremony will be streamed live here from 11 am.

Background

• Seamus Boland (IE): EESC president, president of the EESC's Civil Society Organisations' Group (2020-2025)
• Alena Mastantuono (CZ): vice-president of the EESC, member of the Commission for Financial and Budgetary Affairs, Employers's' Group
• Marija Hanževački (HR): vice-president of the EESC, member of the Commission for Communication (COCOM), EESC Bureau, Workers' Group

The president and the two vice-presidents are elected by a simple majority during the inaugural assembly session. They are chosen from each of the EESC's three groups (Employers' Group, Workers' Group and Civil Society Organisations Group) in rotation, for terms of two and a half years. This means that they are elected twice during each EESC term of office – at the beginning and at mid-term. The president is responsible for the orderly conduct of the Committee's business, and represents the EESC in its relations with other institutions and bodies. The two vice-presidents – elected from among the members of the two groups to which the president does not belong – are responsible for communication and the budget respectively.

The EESC is made up of 329 members from its 27 Member States. They are nominated by their national governments and appointed by the Council of the European Union for a period of five years. They then work independently in the interests of all EU citizens. These members are not politicians but 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 so on. The EESC's new term of office – its 17th since it was set up in 1958 – will run from October 2025 to September 2030.