Speculation mounts over new jobs created by EU treaty

By Martin Banks - 21st October 2009

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Commission president Jos é Manuel Barroso has refused to back calls for one of the two new jobs created by the Lisbon treaty to be given to a woman.

He told this website he believes women should occupy more senior EU posts.

But he noticeably stopped short of endorsing calls for either the council presidency or foreign affairs supremo position to be offered to a woman.

Both posts will be created if and when the treaty is signed by all member states.

Margot Wallstrom, commission vice president, is among those who say one of these two jobs should be occupied by a woman.

She has suggested former Irish president Mary Robinson as a possible candidate.

"There are other candidates but I really think it is right that a woman fills one of these posts," she said.

Her position was endorsed in a parliamentary report adopted earlier this year by MEPs on gender balance.

"It is shameful that, so far, no women seem to have been put forward as possible candidates. All we hear about are people like Tony Blair and other men," she told this website.

"What is being overlooked is that there are many very competent women candidates.

"As the clock is ticking to when these new posts will be filled it is up to the political parties and groups to nominate, hopefully, women candidates."

While male candidates like Tony Blair have been widely touted for the presidency few, if any women, have been mentioned as candidates for either job.

The issue of gender equality has resurfaced amid mounting speculation about the "Lisbon posts" and nominations for the new commission.

Barroso is known to be keen to ensure there are at least as many women in the new commission as the present one.

The current executive has eight women out of 27 commissioners but at least four female commissioners are expected to leave – Neelie Kroes, Margot Wallstrom, Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Mariann Fischer Boel.