Odor to Be Vice-chair of Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee in EP

Brussels, July 23 (TASR-correspondent) - Slovak MEP Ludovit Odor (Progressive Slovakia/Renew Europe) was elected as a vice-chair of the Economic and Monetary Affairs committee (ECON) of the European Parliament on Tuesday. During the constituent meeting, MEPs of the committee elected its presidium, which is comprised of a chair and four vice-chairs. They will occupy their posts for 2.5 years and can be subsequently re-elected. Odor was elected by acclamation, without an opponent. "First of all, I'd like to thank the citizens of Slovakia who sent me to the EP with a strong mandate. I also thank my colleagues from Renew Europe (RE), who nominated me for the post, and its members from all political factions who expressed their support for me," Odor has told TASR. In the committee, Odor wants to focus on issues related to the overall competitiveness of the EU, the creation of a functional stock market union, the digital euro and the protection of sensitive financial personal data. "I believe that I can also support this effort by serving as an RE coordinator in the Subcommittee on Fiscal Affairs (FISC). I understand that seeking breakthroughs, especially with other political factions, and seeking sometimes necessary compromises can bring the best result for all," added Odor. Odor is also a member of the FISC committee and a substitute member of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO). Odor was the leader of the Progressive Slovakia (PS) party slate in this year's EP elections, gaining the highest number of preferential votes from all Slovak candidates (294,944). He entered politics on May 15, 2023, when he became the premier of the caretaker government of then president Zuzana Caputova. Before that he served as the Finance Ministry's chief economist and director of its Financial Policy Institute, later occupying a vice-governor post at Slovakia's central bank (NBS). ko/df