Ursula von der Leyen, the first female president of the EU executive, is facing challenges in achieving her goal of gender balance in the top team at the European Commission. Despite her aim for an equal representation of men and women, EU governments have mostly proposed male candidates for the team of commissioners. This imbalance could result in only 22% to 26% women in the next commission, a regression from the 44% female representation in the previous term.
The lack of female candidates is causing concern among activists for gender equality, who fear that the commitments to equality are weakening. The complexity of the nomination process and the exemptions for returning male commissioners have further exacerbated the issue. EU leaders who have decided not to nominate women emphasize that there is no legal requirement to do so.
The potential for weaker portfolios for countries that do not comply with gender balance requests highlights the power dynamics at play in the selection process. A male-dominated top team would be a setback for the EU’s gender equality strategy, which aims for a 50% representation of women at all levels by 2024.querySelectorAll
Overall, the struggle for gender balance in the European Commission reflects the ongoing challenges and negotiations in EU politics and highlights the importance of continued efforts towards equality and representation.
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