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Francisco Aldecoa Luzárraga
Catedrático Emérito de Relaciones Internacionales de la UCM | Presidente del Consejo Federal Español del Movimiento Europeo
Jueves, 30 de enero 2025, 10:05
In the Spanish public opinion, the notion has spread that the role of women in the European Union institutions has diminished in this new legislature (2024-2029). This is due to the fact that in the European Parliament elections held from June 6-9, 2024, the percentage of elected female MEPs dropped from 40% to 39%, and in the new European Commission, the 50-50% parity disappeared, currently standing at 40-60%. Additionally, it is assumed that there is a shift to the right in the institutions, with the far-right gaining more influence. Lastly, it is claimed that the institutions are poorly led, with those at the helm lacking the necessary preparation and experience to lead today's Europe.
Firstly, in the new Von der Leyen II Commission, there are six executive vice-presidencies, of which four are held by women and two by men, in addition to President Von der Leyen, who may have more executive capacity. This means that out of the seven most significant positions in the European Commission, five are occupied by women. Therefore, the initial assumption that women's representation has decreased is not entirely accurate, as they are the majority in the most important roles within the institution.
Thus, besides the Commission being presided over by a woman, the German Ursula Von der Leyen, the European Parliament is also led by a woman, the Maltese Roberta Metsola, with only the European Council being presided over by a man, the Portuguese Antonio Costa. Furthermore, we have the President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, a French Republican, and the Spanish President of the European Investment Bank, Nadia Calviño, who is independent but close to the socialists. Therefore, for the first time in the institutional cycle, if we consider the four names mentioned, plus the High Representative, we realize that in the six most relevant positions, five are women (Von der Leyen, Metsola, Kallas, Lagarde, and Calviño), and only one is a man (Costa).
Regarding their political composition, three of these names belong to the European People's Party, particularly in the most prominent positions (Von der Leyen, Metsola, and Lagarde), two are socialists (Costa and Calviño), and one is a liberal (Kallas). Thus, the first point to highlight is that the President of the Council has changed from a liberal, who had little acceptance, the Belgian Charles Michel, to a socialist, who enjoys great popularity and extensive experience.
Therefore, concerning the far-right, although the number of MEPs has slightly increased, holding 25% of the chamber, they are deeply divided into at least three groups (Patriots, Conservatives and Reformists, Europe of Sovereign Nations). However, the pro-Europeans, representing 70% of the chamber (populars, socialists, liberals, and greens), are united and even share a common program among the first three. Additionally, the far-right has not gained power, with only one executive vice-presidency in the Commission, held by the Italian Fitto, who belongs to the least radical group (Conservatives and Reformists).
In traditional analysis, emphasis is often placed on the influence of state governments in assessing the leadership of the European Union. In my view, this is somewhat diminishing, at least in this X legislature, as the influence of the leaders of each of the three institutions is possibly being strengthened, along with the six important political positions. Two have been prime ministers (Costa and Kallas), and of the other four, three have been ministers in very prominent positions, especially in economics (Calviño and Lagarde), but also in defense (Von der Leyen). Therefore, it cannot be said that they lack leadership, capacity, or experience.
Finally, it is important to highlight that there are indeed three fallacies. Firstly, it is not true that the role of women has diminished in European institutional leadership; on the contrary, it has increased in the most significant positions. Secondly, it is not true that the institutional system has shifted to the right, as it has even been balanced with the appointment of a socialist in the Council. Thirdly, the individuals chosen to lead the new legislature are possibly the clearest leaders in Europe, with great experience, capacity, and strong public support. Moreover, they will have a five-year term, compared to most member state governments, whose leaders have been losing influence and have a more limited timeframe.
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