5 May 2025

We are delighted to announce the appointment of MEP Christel Schaldemose (S&D, Denmark) as a new co-chair of the MMD Group. As a long-standing Member of the European Parliament, MEP Christel Schaldemose brings extensive experience in social and health policies. 

In the European Parliament, MEP Schaldemose serves as Vice-President. She is also a member of the Parliament’s Bureau of (BURO), the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS) and the Delegation for relations with Japan (D-JP).

Before being elected, MEP Schaldemose was a union consultant at Arbejdernes Oplysningsforbund (Workers’ Educational Association) from 1994 to 2001 and head of the secretariat at Dansk Folkeoplysnings Samråd (Danish Adult Education Association) from 2001 to 2006. She has also been involved in the DSU (Social Democratic Youth of Denmark) and was a member of DSU’s executive committee from 1985 to 1989. 

Recognising diabetes as a major and growing public health challenge in Europe, MEP Schaldemose supports policy approaches that place people at the centre of care. This includes improving access to timely diagnosis, effective treatment, and high-quality care, while empowering individuals through better information and prevention. A series of recent crises (COVID-19, wars, natural disasters) has highlighted inequalities in access to diabetes care, making these policies essential.

We look forward to working closely with MEP Christel Schaldemose and her leadership, to raise diabetes awareness within the EU institutions and to promote ambitious, patient-centred policies.