I am aware that Zapatero is one of the most feminist heads of state in Europe, but I think even he didn't fight much for a woman. My guess is that he would have had no problem with the a duo can Rompuy/Miliband. But now all of a sudden it sounds, like they made a real effort, when indeed it looks like she was a last minute choice, when none of the others was willing to take the job.
The one thing in my opinion that speaks for Asthon is her being woman, otherwise I just do not know enough about her.
I am complaining about gender equality in general and I think it is a sad state of being when European women have to lance a petition for a
Gender Balanced Commission Europe is full of competent women, now is the time to put them forward!
A new European Commission is going to take office this autumn and it looks like there will be even fewer female Commissioners in it than in the outgoing Commission. There are plenty of possible female candidates suitable for all portfolios. It's time to take action!
I also find it sad that I saw this petition for the first time an a US blog, not a European one. Though Americablog does also look at the situation of US women "AMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth: Crisis in US women's leadership" which doesn't look much better and which also seems to slide backwards.
You can consider me an old feminist turning more and more cynic on this topic.
Just from this thread:
according to the consulted sources, it was valued that Ashton was a Commissioner and had a good relationship with Barroso since, as High Representative, she will be Vice President of the European Commission. In addition, a large part of the new Foreign Service of the EU, which she will lead, will be made up of current Commission functionnaries. Finally, her current responsibility, the Trade portfolio, had a foreign component.
her friends say she has considerable quiet charm. "She has achieved more in one year than Peter Mandelson did in four," said one. "He was too abrasive, whereas Cathy is patient and good at building alliances. It is the style of politics that works in Brussels." Or as Ashton herself put it in a waspish interview last year: "Everyone has their own style. Peter did a fantastic job in my view, but I bring a different style. I don't know any oligarchs. I don't think I've ever been on anyone's yacht." During her time in Brussels Ashton, a former health authority chairwoman who had never held elected office, forged an alliance with Barroso. She used her experience of fixing votes in the Lords to help the commission chairman out of difficulties with the Brussels parliament.
Or as Ashton herself put it in a waspish interview last year: "Everyone has their own style. Peter did a fantastic job in my view, but I bring a different style. I don't know any oligarchs. I don't think I've ever been on anyone's yacht."
During her time in Brussels Ashton, a former health authority chairwoman who had never held elected office, forged an alliance with Barroso. She used her experience of fixing votes in the Lords to help the commission chairman out of difficulties with the Brussels parliament.
The fact is,
Barroso had demanded that EU leaders be given the choice of a woman for one of the top Brussels jobs
the Socialist considered that it was their responsibility to place a woman in one of the positions of highest responsibility in the EU, as progressive sectors had been demanding. In addition
A woman candidate was requested, one was offered and she was elected. En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma
That's what I am interested in - not if she is charming or if she has a good relation with Barroso or if she gets much done, that's nice but I would like to know here ideas behind what she gets done.
It is absolutely possible that she might turn out to do a great job, but at the moment this is all guesswork, until we know where stands on these and other topics.
And you have every right to see it your way, but I am still not convinced - that if Miliband had accepted, there would be two man in this two top positions
And that would be the end of the World as we know it? En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma
How many women are likely to be members of the new Commission compared to the old? The fact that there was a wish to see a woman at the top can be seen as much as CYA as a genuine concern for gender equality.
How many women are likely to be members of the new Commission compared to the old?
As I read somewhere: fewer. A vote for PES is a vote for EPP! A vote for EPP is a vote for PES! Support the coalition, vote EPP-PES in 2009!
