Vice-President in charge of Budget

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has elected Alena Mastantuono as its new Vice-President, entrusting her with steering the Committee’s financial management for the first half of the 2025–2030 mandate.

A member of the Employers’ Group, Ms. Mastantuono brings strategic vision and nearly two decades of experience in European affairs, combining business insight with a deep understanding of EU institutions.

Bringing fresh energy to real challenges

For Alena Mastantuono, this new role is about ensuring that every euro the Committee spends delivers real value for Europe’s people and civil society.

'Europe is at a turning point,' she said. 'Geopolitical uncertainty and economic instability are testing our resilience. The EESC must make sure that the realities citizens and businesses face are heard at every level, and that our own resources are managed with transparency, efficiency and care.'

Her top priority as EESC's Vice-President is m planning resources more strategically to maximise the Committee’s impact, while maintaining strict financial discipline. Together with the Commission for Financial and Budgetary Affairs (CAF) she will oversee key budget negotiations and modernise internal management systems to make the EESC even more effective.

Coming from the Employers’ family, Alena Mastantuono is convinced that economic and social progress go hand in hand: 'Without a healthy economy, there is no social progress, and without social stability, economic gains are fragile. Every decision we make must reflect this vital balance.'

A voice for civil society grounded in real-world experience

A Czech national, Alena Mastantuono has been an EESC member since 2020 and has long represented Czech businesses in Brussels. Since 2007, she has served as Permanent Delegate of the Czech Chamber of Commerce to Eurochambres, after leading the Czech Business Representation to the EU (CEBRE) and the Czech Trade Office. Earlier in her career, she worked as a policy adviser on EU affairs at the Czech Ministry of Finance.

She holds master’s degrees in public administration and business administration, earned jointly from Czech and French universities, and speaks English, French and Italian. Alongside her professional work, she has lectured on EU lobbying and public administration and taken part in several EU-funded projects, including the Eastern Partnership’s East Invest initiative.

Strengthening the EESC’s role and relevance

In her new job, Ms. Mastantuono aims to modernise the Committee’s approach to budget management and ensure that its financial governance reflects its mission as the EU’s bridge to organised civil society.

'Our biggest challenge is relevance,' she said. 'The Commission, the Council and the Parliament must see the EESC not as a procedural step, but as an indispensable partner shaping smarter, more effective EU laws. Managing our budget responsibly is part of earning that trust.'

Her leadership will directly support the EESC’s broader objectives for the 2025–2030 mandate, promoting opportunity, security and resilience across Europe.

'Since 1958, the EESC has carried the voices of citizens, workers and businesses into EU decision-making,' Mastantuono added. 'Now, more than ever, we must amplify that voice through credibility, accountability and a clear sense of purpose.'