A renowned figure in European politics, Mr Verhofstadt, former Prime Minister of Belgium and a distinguished member of the European Parliament since 2009, is the new President of the longest standing pro-European organization, which predates the European Union itself.
Alongside Mr Verhofstadt, the European Movement International has also elected its Board for a 3-year mandate, featuring representatives from political parties, social partners, the environmental movement, youth organisations and civil society organisations from across Europe.
The new board was elected by European Movement International members during its annual Assembly. In addition to the election of the new Board, the members also discussed and agreed upon their policy priorities and their work plan for the upcoming year, which features the European Elections, a key moment for an organisation that has been at the avant-garde of European integration for 75 years.
Following his election, Guy Verhofstadt stated:
“Politics is a question of momentum. It needs organizations and people to drive the momentum forward. For much of its illustrious past, the European Movement has been that organization, shaping the debate and reaching out to people at all levels and across Europe to make things happen. As President, at a time when the momentum is more often than not running against Europe, against the very integration and values it stands for, I want to help foster that momentum once more.
Petros Fassoulas, Secretary General of European Movement International, addressed the newly elected board:
“Apart from being a trailblazer for European unity, the European Movement is perhaps the only place that gathers stakeholders from across society and the political spectrum, as well as citizens from across Europe. This enables us to provide forward-looking thought leadership and has driven us to put forward ambitious, and often audacious, ideas about the future of our Union. Now, more than ever, the challenges we face demand such ambition and audacity, and the European Movement will be there, promoting unity and defending the very rights that depend upon the preservation of our democracy.”
The new board reflects the diversity, breadth and depth of the European Movement International network, and it features the following:
President: Guy VERHOFSTADT MEP (Renew Europe)
Treasurer: Aku AARVA (EM Finland)
Vice Presidents (International Associations): Magdalena ADAMOWICZ MEP (EPP) / Valeria RONZITTI (SGI Europe) / Domènec RUIZ DEVESA MEP (PES)
Vice Presidents (National Councils): Antonio ARGENZIANO (EM Italy) / Tobias KÖCK (EM Germany) / Noelle O’CONNELL (EM Ireland)
Members of the Board: Francisco ALDECOA LUZÁRRAGA (EM Spain) / Marco CILENTO (ETUC) / Vanessa COTTERELL (UNITEE) / Dragana DJURICA (EM Serbia) / Elias DRAY (European Youth Forum) / Monica FRASSONI (European Greens) / Klaus HEEGER (CESI) / Emmanuel JACOB (EUROMIL) / Patrizia HEIDEGGER (European Environmental Bureau) / Hervé MORITZ (EM France) / Richard MORRIS (EM UK) / Christian SKRIVERVIK (EM Norway)
About the European Movement International
Founded 75 years ago, the European Movement International is one of the largest pro-European networks of pro-European organisations, with over 70 members across 30 countries. The European Movement International provides a platform to encourage and facilitate the active participation of citizens and stakeholders from a cross-section of sectors in the development of European solutions to our common challenges. Today, European citizens are at the heart of the European Movement International’s work. By offering thought leadership on the issues that confront them, involving them in the debates on our Union’s future, and influencing policymakers on their behalf, we strive for an open, inclusive, transparent, and united Europe.
