The European Parliament lacks diversity, with only 37 out of 720 lawmakers having a diverse ethnic background, according to data collected by Euronews. This figure is about the same as in 2019, with the UK and France having the most ethnic minority MEPs in the 2019-2024 mandate. The lack of representation in the Parliament has been highlighted as a concern by the European Network Against Racism (ENAR), which states that the institution does not reflect the diversity of the European population. It is urgent for there to be greater inclusion and representation within EU political structures.
Among the lawmakers with diverse backgrounds is Arash Saeidi, a French MEP born in Iran, who emphasizes the responsibility of national parties to ensure better representation. Rima Hassan, a French MEP of Palestinian descent, highlights the political underrepresentation of racialized European citizens as a consequence of systemic racism that needs to be addressed. Belgium is one of the countries with only one MEP from a non-EU background, Assita Kanko, who was born in Burkina Faso. Efforts are being made to increase diversity within the European Parliament’s administration, with a two-year roadmap approved to foster ethnic diversity among parliamentary staff.
The lack of diversity is not limited to the European Parliament alone, as the European Commission also lacks racial/ethnic diversity among its staff. Civil society organizations have called for equality and non-discrimination to be central priorities in the Commission’s work. The new Parliament has also seen a decline in female representation, with women making up 38.5% of MEPs, a drop from the previous term. The High-Level Group on Gender Equality and Diversity will continue its work to promote equality and non-discrimination within the Parliament’s administration. It is crucial for all EU institutions to prioritize diversity and inclusion to better represent the European population.
In 2021, the Parliament’s Bureau approved a roadmap with ambitious milestones on disability, LGBTIQ+ matters, and racial and ethnic diversity to make the administration more diverse by 2024. Efforts are being made to increase representation of minority backgrounds among parliamentary staff through information sessions on diversity and inclusion. The European Commission has come under scrutiny for not publishing data on racial/ethnic diversity among its staff and for lacking positive action to improve representation. It is essential for the EU institutions to commit to promoting equality, non-discrimination, and diversity to reflect the diverse European population and enhance democratic legitimacy.
