Liberal Member of the European Parliament, Sophie in ‘t Veld on equality for LGBT people.

Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner

This is the text of a letter I co-signed with Margot Wallstrom and Diana Wallis, published in the Financial Times this week causing quite a reaction.

As the Financial Times has extensively reported, European democracy will face a moment of truth in the coming days. Two important appointments will be made for the European Union - the President of the European Council and the High Representative/Vice President of the European Commission - and once more it is looking more and more likely that only men will be nominated.

A new European Commission will also be appointed in the coming weeks. Though President José Manuel Barroso has urged his fellow-members of the European Council to keep in mind the importance of gender balance when presenting their candidates, it still looks as if the new Commission will have fewer women than the current one.

This would be bad for Europe, bad for democracy and bad for women.

It is time to move from words to deeds on gender equality by appointing women to leading positions in the EU, as Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament, also suggested recently to the European Council. There is no lack of names; no shortage of qualities and competence. Many women are active in European politics, working for the benefit of our societies. Vaira Vike- Freiberga, for example, has been mentioned for the presidency; Elisabeth Guigou and Catherine Ashton as potential high representatives.

We need a collective political commitment to ensure political representation of women. Women make up a majority of the population and in the 21st century European democracy cannot afford to use only half of its people’s talents, ideas and experiences.

When women sit at the table, they can help to ensure that the political decisions reflect the needs of the entire population. The right man in the right job is often a woman. Appointing women would make Europe richer and more representative and bring it closer to all citizens. This can happen, but it requires some bold decisions. NOW.

Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the European Commission
Diana Wallis, Vice-President of the European Parliament
Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner