EKHA Insights: European Elections 2019

Seven members of the MEP Group for Kidney Health have been re-elected:

• Hilde Vautmans (ALDE, BE),
• Peter Liese (EPP, DE),
• Christel Schaldemose (S&D, DK),
• Sirpa Pietikäinen (EPP, FI),
• Aldo Patriciello (EPP, IT),
• Brando Benifei (S&D, IT),
• Annie Schreijer-Pierik (EPP, NL)

Among the new MEPs, several emerge as potential champions in health on the basis of their professional background or strong commitment to public health issues. These are:

• Geert Bourgeois (ECR, Belgium): Known for his interest in health issues, particularly cancer. Signed the MEPs Against Cancer 2019 Manifesto.
• Petra de Sutter (Greens/EFA, Belgium): Professor of Gynaecology and Member of the Belgian Senate, has already tackled several health policy issues both at the national and European level. Declared interest in joining the committees for health and justice following her election. Supported a number of health initiatives including the European Patient’s Forum for patient empowerment and the EU for Disability Rights by the EU Disability Forum, as well as Alzheimer Europe’s campaign on dementia.
• Kris Peeters (EPP, Belgium): As the Minister of Employment, Economy and Consumers in Belgium, made the headlines last January for wanting to introduce a “right to be forgotten” for people who have been cured of serious diseases like cancer. Also signed the MEPs Against Cancer 2019 manifesto.
• Véronique Trillet-Lenoir (Renew Europe, France): Head of the Department of Medical Oncology at the Lyon Sud Hospital Center, and Secretary General of the National Cancer Council of France. Involved in cancer research and willing to work with medical societies and patient advocacy groups.
• Katalin Cseh (Renew Europe, Hungary): Obstetrician, gynaecologist and health economist, has been serving as the head of her national party’s health working group. Recently elected as one of the Vice-Presidents of the Renew Europe Group.
• Bartosz Arłukowicz (EPP, Poland): As a paediatrician, worked at one of Poland’s leading Children’s hemato-oncology and oncology clinics, and served as the Health Minister of Poland between 2011 and 2015.
• Ewa Kopacz (EPP, Poland): General practitioner and paediatrician, former Minister of Health (2007-2011) and Prime Minister of Poland (2014-2015). Has been described as one of the leaders of the EU, and ranked as the world’s 40th most powerful woman in 2015.
• Manuel Pizarro (S&D, Portugal): Doctor, specialist in internal medicine. Served as the Secretary of State for Health between 2008 and 2011. As a former member of the Parliamentary Health Committee in Portugal, he was directly involved in various pieces of legislation including the new legal framework for organ transplantation.
• Sara Cerdas (S&D, Portugal): Degree in medicine and public health, with over six years of experience in health organizations working on health policy and planning. Declared health a priority on her agenda during her campaign and emphasised active ageing and quality of life.
• Diana Riba i Giner (Greens/EFA, Spain): Signed several initiatives during her candidacy including the MEPs Against Cancer 2019 manifesto, the EU for Disability Rights Manifesto of the European Disability Forum, and Alzheimer Europe’s campaign on dementia; signalling her strong commitment to health issues.

The MEP Group for Kidney Health will be reaching out to these priority new MEPs in due course, in efforts to recruit them as the new champions of Kidney Health in the 9th European Parliament.