On 21 November, European Parliament Vice-President Sophie Wilmès MEP (Mouvement Réformateur, BE) was elected Chair of the Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG) of the European Parliament. 

Part of the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), the group was set up in 2018 following the murders of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée. 

The DRFMG aims to create a permanent structure for an impartial, objective and constant monitoring of breaches of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights, and the fight against corruption within the EU. The Group recommends specific actions to the LIBE Committee, such as meetings with stakeholders, hearings, missions, proposals for resolutions and reports. 

The DRFMG (Democracy, Rule of Law, Fundamental Rights) ensures that your rights and freedoms are respected in every Member State.

Nothing can be taken for granted, especially in these troubled times.

I am honoured to have been chosen to chair it.@EP_Justice @Europarl_EN pic.twitter.com/WjlNmbf4H6

— Sophie Wilmès (@Sophie_Wilmes) November 22, 2024

As Chair, Wilmès aims to continue dialogue with Member States, keep a constant watch on any violations of the rule of law that may occur, develop expertise based on field trips and initiate a real reflection on the existing EU toolbox to react to violations. 

“Defending our values and our fundamental rights has always been at the heart of my political commitment. It is this foundation that provides the impetus to act, to protect citizens when their most basic rights are violated, but also to ensure that public money is managed transparently and responsibly,” said Wilmès. 

“I intend to use this mandate to develop a proactive approach, based on dialogue but also on action. We must ensure that the EU remains credible in its defence of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights.” 

More information on the DRFMG can be found on the European Parliament’s website.