SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Many men to Brussels – despite EU top's demands

Where are the sisters? was wondered in the old chips commercial. The same question can Ursula von der Leyen ask herself when her EU Commission risks becoming anything but equal.

» Published: 31 August 2024

Many men to Brussels – despite EU top's demands
Photo: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP/TT

The re-elected Commission President has promised to strive for as equal a lineup as possible when her new EU commissioners take office later this autumn.

However, the governments of EU member states do not seem to care. Only seven countries have nominated a woman, in addition to von der Leyen herself.

Only Bulgaria has heeded the German's call to propose both a man and a woman. Many have instead been clear about disliking the idea.

It's a terrible idea to say "I'm going to take two people", where I know that one won't be relevant. That's not how I think you should treat qualified people, said, for example, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (The Moderate Party) after the latest EU summit in June.

Changing their minds?

Sweden has, however, made an effort from a gender equality perspective by once again launching a woman as commissioner, in the form of EU Minister Jessika Roswall (The Moderate Party).

The countries that have not done so can, however, expect both carrots and sticks from von der Leyen in the near future.

According to the Times of Malta, the German has so far asked at least three countries to change their minds, including Malta. Among other things, she is said to be offering more influential posts than would otherwise be the case.

At the same time, there are warnings that nominated men may get worse assignments than their countries had hoped for. Not least Ireland – which has put forward Finance Minister Michael McGrath in the hope of a heavy finance post – is said to be in trouble, following reports of harsh criticism from von der Leyen about McGrath being presented without prior consultations.

Tough hearings

The inequality also means that the men who have been nominated risk facing tougher treatment when they are to be heard and approved by the EU Parliament this autumn.

The weak male candidates will have a tough time in the EU Parliament and many will likely be rejected, says Austrian EU Parliamentarian Andreas Schieder to Politico Europe.

The inequality can, at the same time, benefit Sweden and Jessika Roswall, who can hope for a more benevolent treatment in Parliament.

It is not expected to be clear which policy areas the nominated candidates will be assigned to until at least two weeks from now.

The following persons have been nominated to the incoming EU Commission, which will, as usual, consist of one person from each member state:

Women (7): Chairperson Ursula von der Leyen (Germany), Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas (Estonia), and Maria Luís Albuquerque (Portugal), Teresa Ribera (Spain), Jessika Roswall (Sweden), Dubravka Suica (Croatia), and Henna Virkkunen (Finland).

Men (18): Thierry Breton (France), Magnus Brunner (Austria), Valdis Dombrovskis (Latvia), Raffaele Fitto (Italy), Christophe Hansen (Luxembourg), Wopke Hoekstra (Netherlands), Dan Jørgensen (Denmark), Costas Kadis (Cyprus), Andrius Kubilius (Lithuania), Michael McGrath (Ireland), Glenn Micallef (Malta), Victor Negrescu (Romania), Maros Sefcovic (Slovakia), Piotr Serafin (Poland), Jozef Síkela (Czech Republic), Apostolos Tzitzikostas (Greece), Olivér Várhelyi (Hungary), and Tomaz Vesel (Slovenia).

Bulgaria has nominated both a man and a woman: Julian Popov and Ekaterina Zacharieva.

It is still unclear who or whom will be nominated from Belgium.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Child killed in knife attack in German park
1 MIN READ

Child killed in knife attack in German park

Over one million have fled to South Sudan
1 MIN READ

Over one million have fled to South Sudan

Houthi Rebels: Crew Released After a Year
1 MIN READ

Houthi Rebels: Crew Released After a Year

Japan Post stops delivering live reptiles
1 MIN READ

Japan Post stops delivering live reptiles

The White House shuts down Spanish-language website
1 MIN READ

The White House shuts down Spanish-language website

Killed women with crossbow – admits to murder
1 MIN READ

Killed women with crossbow – admits to murder

Trump's Defense Minister Nominee "Drank Himself Unconscious"
2 MIN READ

Trump's Defense Minister Nominee "Drank Himself Unconscious"

Trump launches attack on bishop: Unpleasant tone
1 MIN READ

Trump launches attack on bishop: Unpleasant tone

Trump: Immigrants can be arrested in schools and churches
2 MIN READ

Trump: Immigrants can be arrested in schools and churches

Tusk to EU: Chin up!
2 MIN READ

Tusk to EU: Chin up!

Zelensky: Peace agreement requires 200,000 soldiers
1 MIN READ

Zelensky: Peace agreement requires 200,000 soldiers

Fear in Jenin "reflects Israel's lesson from Gaza"
1 MIN READ

Fear in Jenin "reflects Israel's lesson from Gaza"

Fear: Nine-year-olds can be married off after legislative change
1 MIN READ

Fear: Nine-year-olds can be married off after legislative change

No evidence of sabotage behind cut submarine cables
1 MIN READ

No evidence of sabotage behind cut submarine cables

Released Hostages: Were Terrified at the Handover
3 MIN READ

Released Hostages: Were Terrified at the Handover

Trump Brands as Terrorists to Counter "Invasion"
4 MIN READ

Trump Brands as Terrorists to Counter "Invasion"

Trump: Diversity is a waste of money - everyone gets fired
2 MIN READ

Trump: Diversity is a waste of money - everyone gets fired

UN: Civilians in Colombia must be protected
1 MIN READ

UN: Civilians in Colombia must be protected

Trump to Xi on Ukraine: Must do more
1 MIN READ

Trump to Xi on Ukraine: Must do more

Millions of narcotics pills go up in smoke in Syria
1 MIN READ

Millions of narcotics pills go up in smoke in Syria