Editor
That’s in comparison with simply 5 ladies (together with von der Leyen herself) — or six in case you embrace Spain’s anticipated choose Teresa Ribera, who’s but to be formally nominated.
Two strikes Thursday tipped the scales additional, as Romania confirmed it could nominate Victor Negrescu, then Luxembourg put ahead Christophe Hansen for the plum position. If Denmark and Italy comply with go well with by naming males, as they’re broadly anticipated to do, it could develop into probably that two-thirds of the EU’s 27 commissioners shall be male.
Leaders of EU international locations have dismissed von der Leyen’s request for a selection, as an alternative defiantly presenting her with a fait accompli and leaving the Commission chief nearly powerless.
The likes of Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris have reminded von der Leyen that they’re solely obliged underneath the EU’s treaties to suggest a single title to Brussels.
The solely actual lever von der Leyen has to drag in response is the portfolio she assigns them. But there are too many males for all of them to get weak portfolios.
The gender stability might nonetheless change, nonetheless. The total 27-person College of Commissioners should be authorised in a single vote by the European Parliament, in spite of everything commissioners besides von der Leyen endure a grilling by MEPs this fall, elevating the prospect that some male candidates may very well be rejected.
