Brussels, 27 January 2025
On Monday, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (Renew Europe, FDP, Germany) was elected as the inaugural Chair of the European Parliament’s newly established Committee on Security and Defence.
Following her election by committee members by acclamation, Ms Strack-Zimmermann said: “I would like to sincerely thank my colleagues for electing me as chair of the new full committee. The Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) will be a strong supervisory body and a driving force in the field of European security and defence policy. Our joint action will determine whether Europe will be prepared for current and future threats and whether we can take our responsibility for our own defence seriously.”
“The European Parliament and the committee will fully support Ukraine – not only as long as it takes, but as much as it takes – and push forward the development of European defence capabilities. I look forward to working with my colleagues in SEDE and across the European Parliament on this important task.”
MEPs also elected Christophe Gomart (EPP, France) as the Committee’s First Vice-Chair, with Mihai Tudose (S&D, Romania), Alberico Gambino (ECR, Italy) and Riho Terras (EPP, Estonia) chosen to serve as Second-, Third- and Fourth Vice-Chairs respectively. Together with Ms Strack-Zimmermann, they form the new committee’s decision-making bureau.
New Committee on Security and Defence
Originally established as a European Parliament subcommittee in 2004, Parliament voted to upgrade it to a fully-fledged Security and Defence Committee in December 2024. The change was part of a package of proposals put forward by Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the leaders of Parliament’s political groups to address Europe’s current challenges as well as Parliament’s own priorities, while taking into account citizen concerns and the results of the European elections.
Here is a list of all the members of the new Committee on Security and Defence.
Election results
- Chair: Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, elected by acclamation:
- First Vice-Chair: Christophe Gomart, elected by acclamation:
- Second Vice-Chair: Mihai Tudose, elected by 28 votes in favour, 10 against and 1 abstention:
- Third Vice-Chair: Alberico Gambino, elected by acclamation.
- Fourth Vice-Chair: Riho Terras, elected by acclamation.
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.
Renew Europe: Leading Europe in Strengthening Defence and Security
Brussels, 27 January 2025
The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament proudly celebrates the constitutive meeting of the newly upgraded Committee on Security and Defence. This milestone is a direct result of Renew Europe’s leadership and unwavering commitment to reshaping Europe’s security and defence policies.
Through our collective efforts, we have successfully forged consensus across political groups, ensuring that this committee is equipped to address the urgent and evolving security challenges of today. As the driving force behind this transformation, Renew Europe continues to lead Europe in strengthening its security framework, with a focus on making Europe not just safer, but future-proof.
Our key political priorities include: enhancing military support for Ukraine, fortifying the European defence industrial base, securing additional funding for defence, establishing a unified internal market for defence, and ensuring secure and resilient supply chains across the sector.
This leadership extends beyond the European Parliament. The appointment of Mark Rutte as the new Secretary General of NATO, and the role of Kaja Kallas as High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, exemplify Renew Europe’s broader vision for Europe’s defence and security.
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Renew Europe MEP (FDP, Germany) and Chair of the Committee on Security and Defence, commented:
“Liberals wanted a fully fledged SEDE Committee in the Parliament and we have delivered. This is an important step taking account of the enormous increase in the importance of European security and defence policy. I would like to sincerely thank my colleagues for electing me as Chair of the new full committee.
The new SEDE will be a strong supervisory body and driving force in the field of European security and defence policy. Our joint action will determine whether Europe will be prepared for current and future threats and whether we can take our responsibility for our own defence seriously. The Parliament and the Committee will fully support Ukraine – not as long as it takes, but as much as it takes – and push forward the development of European defence capabilities appropriate to the current world situation in cooperation with EU Member States and invest in maintaining the technological edge in the defence sector. I look forward to working with my colleagues in SEDE and across Parliament on this important task.”
MEP Nathalie Loiseau (Horizons, France), Renew Europe Group’s coordinator in SEDE Committee, added:
“Building a European Defense Union has always been a Renew Europe priority. All the more so in the challenging times we live in. Renew Europe has long advocated for a full Security and Defense Committee. It is a great achievement for our group that this is becoming a reality.”
Source – Renew Europe (by email)