Von der Leyen's pledge for gender balance in Commission under threat

The European Union's leadership is facing concerns over the gender composition of the upcoming European Commission, which could lead to what some officials fear might be a humiliation for Europe on the international stage.

According to a senior EU official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the new lineup of the commission under the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen, who has been re-elected for a second term as chairwoman, is expected to be the most male-dominated in over a decade, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

"It will take us back to the days of the [commission headed by French politician Jacques] Delors (1985-1995), when men would gather in [the EC's main building] Berlemont, drink, and smoke. It's incredibly embarrassing," the official lamented.

This development comes as von der Leyen had pledged to maintain a gender-balanced commission. However, as of August 30, 17 men and only seven women, including von der Leyen herself, had been nominated for the roles of European Commissioners. This imbalance is proving difficult to rectify, with the head of the EC reportedly pressuring smaller EU member states, including Malta, to replace their nominated male candidates with female ones.

Despite these efforts, Politico suggests that von der Leyen faces significant challenges in achieving the promised gender balance. The publication notes that the current situation reflects a broader issue of gender representation within EU institutions and could have broader implications for the EU's image and commitment to gender equality.

The gender imbalance issue comes at a time when the EU is under scrutiny for its representation and diversity, both internally and in its international engagements. The apparent failure to meet gender parity commitments could affect the EU's credibility in advocating for gender equality on the global stage.