Ursula von der Leyen: gender balance in the EU Commission endangered

Ursula von der Leyen: gender balance in the EU Commission endangered

Brussels-The discussion about the gender relationship within the new management team of the EU Commission is heading. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is faced with considerable resistance on the part of the Member States. In the past few days, research by the German Press Agency has shown that more than half of the EU governments have only proposed male candidates for future commissioners. This could lead to the new college of around two thirds of men, although the current status of 12 out of 27 commission members shows as female.

Ursula von der Leyen, who was re-elected in July, asked the EU heads of state and government to ensure a balanced gender distribution by nominating both men and women. However, this request was only taken seriously by a few countries. Countries such as France, Hungary and Latvia have again nominated existing male commissioners without making a female addition. For example, France will probably send the current internal market commissioner Thierry Breton into the race, while Hungary nominate Oliver Varhelyi and Latvia Valdis Dombrovskis.

legal aspects and political dynamics

A central problem is the lack of legal obligation for the Member States to meet the request from Leyen. In the EU contract it is required that this is depicted by the demographic and geographical spectrum of the Member States, there is no indication of gender parity. This means that the Leyen ultimately has little pressure on the governments to change their nominations, which significantly weakens their position.

The upcoming reputation of the EU Commission is a crucial moment for the political landscape of the Union. The Leyen rely on the Member States to quickly revise their decisions in order to achieve the desired balance. While the current nominations are still open, it could theoretically try to exert pressure by offering the countries more advantageous departments for their female candidates. The “Times of Malta” reported that Leyen Malta recommended that the incumbent Maltese Commissioner Helena Dalli to nominate again to get a more attractive department in return.

reputation risk for the EU

The situation could not only be uncomfortable for the Leyen. The EU legal expert Alberto Alemanno emphasizes that a college dominated by men may undermine the influence and authority of the President of the EU Commission. He advises Leyen to make their dissatisfaction against the national capitals and to ask them to rethink their nominations.

In addition, he warns that weak male candidates could possibly encounter resistance in the European Parliament. If these do not receive the necessary approval, the governments are forced to propose new candidates, which could delay the new Commission's taking office. In view of the geopolitical relevance at the time of the upcoming presidential election in the USA, this could result in serious consequences.

The EU Commission, which is subordinate to around 32,000 employees, plays a central role in the legislation and monitoring of European contracts. It remains to be seen whether Ursula von der Leyen can take the necessary steps to ensure the gender equality in the Commission and at the same time respect the legal framework of this challenge.