Barry Andrews elected Chair of the Committee on Development

MEP Barry Andrews (Renew Europe, Ireland) will serve as the Chair of the European Parliament’s Development Committee for the next two and a half years.

Following his election by committee members by acclamation on Tuesday, Mr Andrews said:

"It is a huge honour for me today to have been elected as Chair of the Development Committee. Throughout my career, I have been a steadfast advocate for sustainable development, human rights, and economic growth. These values are at the core of my legislative work and public advocacy. I am passionate about addressing global inequalities and ensuring that development efforts are inclusive and sustainable.

I very much look forward to getting to work as chair of this committee and I want to thank my colleagues from across all groups for trusting me with this position.”

MEPs also elected:

Isabella LÖVIN (Greens/EFA, Sweden) as the Committee’s First Vice-Chair, by acclamation

Hildegarde BENTELE (EPP, Germany) as Second Vice-Chair, by acclamation

Abir AL-SAHLANI (Sweden, Renew Europe) as Third Vice-Chair, by 16 votes in favour, 8 against, and 1 abstention

and Robert BIEDROŃ (S&D, Poland) as Fourth Vice-Chair, by acclamation

Together with Mr Andrews, these Vice-Chairs form the Development Committee’s bureau.

Rules for the election

According to the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament (Rule 219), the number of Vice-Chairs to be elected are determined by Parliament following a proposal by the Conference of Presidents. The diversity of Parliament must be reflected in the composition of the bureau of each committee. The Chair and the first Vice-Chair of a committee cannot be of the same gender. All of the bureau members cannot come from the same member state.