The newly created Crisis Management and Equality portfolio, assigned to Hadja Lahbib, marks an unprecedented combination within the EU’s institutional framework. This role encompasses two distinct areas: crisis management – dealing with natural disasters, health emergencies, and geopolitical conflicts – and the promotion of equality across the EU. Lahbib will be responsible for coordinating emergency medical supplies, overseeing humanitarian aid, and strengthening diplomatic efforts to manage international crises. On the equality front, her focus will be on developing programs to advance women’s rights, inclusion of ethnic minorities, and protection of LGBTQI+ individuals. Her portfolio is supported by an annual budget of €11.6 billion allocated for humanitarian aid under the 2021-2027 budget period, with an additional €1.2 billion annually from the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve for responding to natural disasters and health crises.
What was done before, and what will come next?
Helena Dalli served as the European Commissioner for Equality from 2019 to 2024, leading numerous initiatives designed to advance equality throughout the EU. A key achievement was the EU Gender Equality Strategy (2020-2025), which aimed to address gender equality issues across various sectors, such as employment and education, while focusing on eliminating gender-based violence. Specific objectives of the strategy included ensuring equal pay for men and women and increasing women’s participation in the labor market. Additionally, Dalli led the Anti-Racism Action Plan (2020-2025), which sought to address systemic racism and promote diversity in the EU. This plan, along with other initiatives like improving anti-discrimination laws, highlighted her strong commitment to social inclusion. She also placed a significant emphasis on protecting LGBTQI+ rights, including advocating for same-sex couples’ legal recognition and transgender rights. The LGBTIQ Equality Strategy (2020-2025), the first of its kind in the EU, introduced comprehensive measures to combat discrimination against LGBTQI+ individuals. Dalli’s term also focused on promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and tackling issues related to accessibility in public services, education, and employment. Under her leadership, the EU ratified the Istanbul Convention in 2023 and adopted a directive in May 2024 to combat gender-based violence.
In the area of crisis management, Janez Lenarčič, as Commissioner for Crisis Management, expanded the EU’s response capabilities. Lenarčič enhanced the operations of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, which assists Member States in responding to disasters, and strengthened the Emergency Response Coordination Centre. His tenure also focused on disaster preparedness and risk reduction strategies, such as encouraging countries to develop early warning systems to address vulnerabilities due to climate change. Additionally, rescEU, the EU’s disaster response fleet, was extended until 2027 to further improve Europe’s preparedness for large-scale crises.
As Hadja Lahbib steps into her new role, she is expected to continue the work of both Dalli and Lenarčič, while also tackling the complexity of combining crisis management and equality responsibilities. Lahbib’s task will be to build an EU crisis preparedness strategy that integrates society-wide approaches to early detection, rapid response, and long-term crisis prevention. Beyond crisis response, she will further the EU’s commitment to equality by advancing initiatives like a new gender equality strategy and promoting LGBTQI+ and ethnic minority rights.
From foreign minister to commissioner: A controversial path
Before her nomination as Commissioner, Hadja Lahbib served as Belgium’s Foreign Minister, a role that brought mixed reactions in her home country. A member of the liberal Mouvement Réformateur, her appointment came with controversies, including a 2021 visit to Crimea using a Russian visa, which some perceived as legitimizing Russia’s occupation. Lahbib was also criticized for granting visas to Russian and Iranian officials in 2023, raising questions about her suitability for high-level diplomatic roles in the EU. These issues are expected to surface during her European Parliament hearing on November 6, 2024, where MEPs will scrutinize her past actions. Lahbib’s selection as Commissioner, backed by MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez, is seen by some as an attempt to bring gender diversity and rejuvenation to the party, potentially sidelining more experienced figures like former European Commissioner Didier Reynders. Her nomination has faced skepticism in the Flemish press, where she has been labeled as inexperienced in high-level diplomacy, with some suggesting her selection was driven more by political considerations than proven diplomatic competence.
Challenges and long-term implications
Crisis management requires rapid decision-making and effective resource allocation, often in response to unpredictable and urgent situations. This focus can potentially divert funds and attention from equality-related projects, especially when large-scale disasters like wildfires in Greece or floods in Germany occur, requiring substantial emergency resources. Lahbib will need to ensure that this doesn’t undermine ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality, anti-racism, or LGBTQI+ rights. The ongoing war in Ukraine adds another layer of complexity to her role, as humanitarian aid and crisis management will likely remain critical priorities in the near future. Lahbib will need to navigate inter-institutional dynamics, improve coordination between EU bodies, and ensure transparency in the allocation of humanitarian funds. This will be crucial in ensuring aid reaches those most in need, while also maintaining the EU’s commitment to promoting equality and human rights across all Member States.