Hadja Lahbib, Belgium’s candidate as an EU commissioner, has been given a grilling by MEPs.
She is the selected nominee for the Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality portfolio
In her introductory statement, the commissioner-designate underscored that with crucial equality legislation already adopted in recent years, it is time to make sure the new rules are successfully applied across the EU, including the full implementation of the Istanbul Convention.
In her hearing in the EU parliament, Belgium’s foreign affairs minister announced that, on International Women’s Day on 8 March 2025, she will present a Roadmap for Women’s Rights.
This, the former journalist told MEPs, will serve as a guiding compass for future Gender Equality Strategy from next year.
She also promised targeted measures for a renewed post-2025 LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy, including positive incentives, a ban of conversion therapies and a new anti-racism strategy.
In response to questions from MEPs, she denied the alleged downgrading of the equality portfolio and underlined that she will have the same resources as current Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli.
The nominee also committed to advancing specific issues such as the EU’s adoption of a definition of rape based on consent, abortion rights, maternal surrogacy, rights of children and poverty, through dialogue and awareness raising, and above all based on respect for the individual rights of women, children and other vulnerable groups.
In order to prepare for future crises, Lahbib called on the EU to apply an “all-hazard approach”, boosting coordination and involving all parts of society, in particular citizens.
She said she will also work on developing a new strategy on medical countermeasures to address public health threats, which would include joint procurement and stockpiling.
Replying to MEP questions on how to enhance the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to ensure it serves vulnerable communities and maximises intra-EU solidarity,Lahbib advocated a strategy encompassing civil and military defence, covering all types of disasters – health, environmental and others – and focusing not only on response but also on crisis prevention.
Lahbib told the meeting she will push for a Commission-wide integrated approach to support fragile countries experiencing humanitarian crises.
To reduce the humanitarian aid gap, she told deputies she will encourage EU member states to increase their funding, lobby new donors, and facilitate a larger role for private sector actors in developing and delivering humanitarian aid.
On the Middle East and the situation in Gaza and Lebanon, she championed the EU’s neutral approach to delivering humanitarian aid, advocating for the respect for international humanitarian law and defending the principles of the Geneva Conventions.
The committee chairs and political group coordinators of the four responsible committees will now assess her performance and qualification as Commissioner-designate.
