WOMEN and PES WOMEN

Dear Mr Barroso
Prime Ministers
All chairs of the Group in the EU
MEPs


On 14 November 2009, PES Women gathered in Stockholm, expressing serious concern about the current nomination process of the new college of Commissioners, where, in the foreseeable scenario, there will only be two or three women among the 27 Commissioners.

This tiny proportion does not, first and foremost, represent women in Europe, where around 53%, a clear majority, are women.

Secondly, we wonder how one expect women to respect and identify with such an EU Commission? Or even, what image the European Commission wants to portray? If we do not take into account all the talent that society has to offer, it should come as no surprise that women are Eurosceptic and reluctant to vote during European Elections.
PES Women members therefore urge

- the Commission President José Manuel Barroso to undertake another round of consultation with Member States' governments, making clear that anything less than was already achieved by the former Commission is not acceptable (i.e. at least 27% of women representation);
- the EU Commission to adhere to international commitments made by all EU governments for gender-balanced representation in all EU decision-making positions;
- all MEPs to reject a Commission which is in such stark contrast with the general principles and values of the EU.

We are not ready to accept a picture of the EU which resembles a government of the dark ages.

Yours sincerely,
Zita Gurmai
President
PES Women