The Committee of Ministers has adopted the procedure for filling five seats on the European Committee of Social Rights, which will fall vacant on 31 December 2026.
According to the procedure, the States Parties to the European Social Charter concerned may submit the name of a suitable candidate to the Secretary General by 25 September 2026.
The allocation of seats is based on five groups of States, with Groups II, III, and IV being concerned this cycle:
Group II (Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Romania): 2 seats vacant.
Group III (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom): 1 seat vacant.
Group IV (Andorra, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, San Marino, Spain): 2 seats vacant.
Groups I and V have no seats falling vacant in this election cycle.
After nominations are received, the Secretary General will forward the list to the Committee of Ministers, which will conduct the election by secret ballot during one of its autumn 2026 meetings.
The candidates elected will serve for a term of office beginning on 1 January 2027 and ending on 31 December 2032.

