EU Commission Faces Gender Balance Challenges Under von der Leyen

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, aims for gender balance in her new team of commissioners, a goal she pursued during her first term. However, national governments are not cooperating, with many proposing only male candidates. Out of the 27 member states, 16 have nominated men, while only ten have nominated women, and only Bulgaria has complied with the request for both genders. This imbalance reflects a broader power struggle between von der Leyen and member states, which may support gender parity in theory but resist it in practice. The current composition of the outgoing college includes 15 men and 12 women, highlighting the ongoing challenges in achieving gender equality. An EU diplomat emphasized the need for von der Leyen to express her dissatisfaction to national capitals and push for a revised list of candidates to protect her reputation and that of the EU. The distribution of portfolios among the new commissioners will be crucial, with key positions in areas like the economy and defense being highly sought after. As the European Parliament prepares to meet with von der Leyen on September 11, the final distribution of her team will be presented. The current Commission's term ends on October 31, but its work may continue until the new executive is fully established. The situation underscores the complexities of balancing national interests with the EU's goals for gender equality. The appointment of a right-wing populist to a top position raises further concerns about the political dynamics within the Commission. The ongoing negotiations and the need for cooperation among member states will be critical in determining the success of von der Leyen's gender balance initiative and the overall effectiveness of the new Commission.