MEPs' lack of racial diversity has caused EU identity crisis, campaigners say

The European parliament's failure to fully reflect the EU's diverse population has caused an identity crisis, campaigners have said.

In practice, this gap means people with lived experience of problems such as racism and inequality are often not at the table during key European discussions, hindering efforts to create policy that addresses the needs of the EU's varied population.

This disparity poses fundamental questions about the democratic legitimacy of the institutions, particularly the European parliament, said Mahmoudi.

With polls suggesting support for far-right and nationalist parties will surge in June's European elections, campaigners are bracing for a political landscape that they fear could further stigmatise marginalised communities and with fewer MEPs of colour in parliament.

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