Outgoing European Commissioner Margrethe Vestager has criticized EU governments for failing to support Ursula von der Leyen’s efforts to appoint a gender-balanced ‘college’ of Commissioners. Von der Leyen had requested that member states provide both male and female candidates to ensure gender balance in the executive, but only Bulgaria has complied with this request. A total of ten out of the 25 potential Commissioners are women, far from the gender equality goal set by von der Leyen. Vestager expressed disappointment in the lack of effort to achieve equal opportunities and gender balance in the EU leadership.
Vestager, who has been a prominent figure in EU politics for a decade, emphasized the importance of having both men and women in leadership roles. She stressed that a gender-balanced Commission is crucial for demonstrating effective leadership and for providing diverse perspectives. Only through having a mix of talents and experiences can the EU Commission be truly representative of the population it serves. Vestager highlighted the need to set an example for future generations by showing that leadership involves men and women working together.
Von der Leyen is working to assign policy portfolios to the nominated candidates and secure their confirmation through the European Parliament. She is reportedly urging member states to replace male nominees with female candidates in order to achieve gender balance. Romania has already made a switch following Von der Leyen’s request. The goal is to ensure that the next College of Commissioners reflects a diversity of backgrounds and skills, ultimately leading to more effective decision-making in the EU’s executive body.
Vestager’s tenure as Denmark’s EU Commissioner has been marked by her role as the antitrust enforcer in Brussels and her advocacy for regulating Big Tech companies. She has been recognized for her influence in shaping the EU’s digital rulebook and regulating AI technology. Vestager believes that a gender-balanced Commission is capable of achieving significant progress and carrying out unprecedented work. She also sees it as a matter of fairness and equality that both genders should be represented in leadership positions.
Despite her upcoming departure from the EU executive, Vestager remains committed to advancing her ambitions for Europe and engaging with the world on various issues. She believes that Europe should play a more active role in global geopolitics and hopes to continue working on important matters after leaving her current position. While there are restrictions on pursuing certain roles after serving as an EU Commissioner, Vestager is exploring options to continue contributing to important initiatives and making a difference in the world. She sees opportunities to address critical challenges and influence positive change in various areas.
