President of the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council: ‘We must never be scared to talk to people’

Claire Thoury, President of the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council and Séamus Boland, EESC President. © EU/EESC 2026 At the September plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council reiterated their intention to act as steadfast partners in defending the role and model of participatory democracy which are embodied in them. The end goal: helping to shape a better future for Europeans.