22 July 2024

The European Elections held in June resulted in the formation of a new European Parliament, which will serve a five-year mandate from 2024 to 2029. The number of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) increased from 705 to 720, reflecting EU’s growing population.

The COVID-19 crisis severely tested the resilience of European healthcare systems, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining health as a top priority in EU and national political agendas. The outgoing European Parliament laid the foundation for the European Health Union and made significant strides in healthcare policies, including the establishment of the European Health Data Space and the revision of General Pharmaceutical Legislation.

The 2024-2029 mandate will be crucial for further developing the European Health Union and addressing major public health challenges, including the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes. The new Parliament has already commenced its work, and re-elected Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission. One critical step remains: the election of the new European Commission by the European Parliament, which will mark the beginning of the EU’s executive branch’s new mandate.

The MMD Group stands at a critical juncture, with both significant opportunities and challenges ahead. Its role will be crucial in ensuring that EU policymakers – within the Parliament, the Commission and across European and national institutions – work to strengthen and accelerate their actions on health.