Europeans believe women in politics positively impact on decision-making, surveys show. However, they do not support mandatory quotas to boost gender representation in the European Parliament, a measure generally favoured by female politicians.

As political parties across Europe gear up for the European elections in June, a new Eurobarometer surveyexternal  commissioned jointly by the EU executive and the Parliament, published on Wednesday (4 March), shows that more women (67%) than men (59%) prefer non-intrusive methods, like quotas, to boost women's representation in the European Parliament.

Quotas or not quotas?

However, female politicians argue that without some structure in place, women will fail to fill half of the hemicycles, as sough by 70% of women across Europe.

"I believe in quotas," said Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström, presenting the survey to the European Parliament. "I see it as a way of correcting an existing imbalance and injustice. Unfortunately, we need those practical tools" to involve more women in decision-making, she added.