18/11/2009
PES is calling for fair representation of women in the EU
On the eve of the EU summit, PES Women are calling on Mr Barroso and all EU heads of state to ensure that the new college of Commissioners will be gender balanced and will represent women in Europe.
Zita Gurmai MEP, President of PES Women, expressed serious concerns about the current nomination process of the new college of Commissioners, in which, in the foreseeable scenario, there will only be two or three women among the 27 Commissioners.
Zita Gurmai said: “This tiny proportion does not, first and foremost, represent women in Europe, where around 53%, a clear majority, are women.”
“I wonder how one expect women to respect and identify with such an EU Commission? Or even, what image the European Commission wants to portray? If we do not take into account all the talent that society has to offer, it should come as no surprise that women are Eurosceptic and reluctant to vote in European Elections.”
“The PES campaigned for a gender-equal European Commission and gender-equal European Parliament and we also called for the creation of a European Commissioner for Gender Equality. Now is the time for Mr Barroso to deliver on the Commission.”
PES Women members therefore urge
- the Commission President José Manuel Barroso to make another round of consultation with Member States' governments, making clear that anything less than was already achieved by the former Commission is not acceptable (i.e. at least 27% of women Commissioners);
- the EU Commission to adhere to international commitments made by all EU governments for gender-balanced representation in all EU decision-making positions;
- all MEPs to reject a Commission which is in such stark contrast with the principles and values of the EU.
Note to editors:
1, Zita Gurmai MEP, President of PES Women, will be taking part in a protest of female MEPs today, at 13h15 on the corner of rue Froissart (coming from EP), wearing ties and carrying their CVs in order to give them to the Council, before the summit meeting on Thursday 19th November. A photo of the protest will be available from the PES press office.
2. Open letter from PES Women President 
regarding gender balanced European Commission
For further comment/interview bids, please contact Silke Thomson on +32 2 548 90 85 or +32 476 94 22 70
