(AE) WOMEN: 50/50 DECLARATION FOR PARITY IN INSTITUTIONS AFTER 2014
Brussels, 22/11/2012 (Agence Europe) – MEPs are now ready to do battle to defend equality in the European institutions after the 2014 elections. A “multi-party” declaration was presented on Wednesday 22 November at the European Parliament during the plenary session. This declaration seeks to obtain a maximum number of signatures. The 50/50 Declaration has already obtained the support of around fifty MEPs from all the different parties.
This approach advocates the nomination by the member states of a female candidate and a male candidate for the post of Commissioner in the College of Commissioners after 2014, as well as for all senior official posts at the Commission. The list of candidates for the European elections in 2014 should also contain parity and equality should also be reflected in the appointment of Parliamentary committee and Parliamentary bureau chairpersons, according to the 50/50 Declaration.
The Declaration can be signed by all MEPs and MPs from national parliaments. The liberal MEP Anneli Jaatteenmaki (ALDE, Finland) is also insisting that men and women take part in this campaign and sign the petition. The declaration will be presented to the Commission at the beginning of next year. Franziska Brantner MEP (Greens/EFA, Germany) is subsequently hoping to “mobilise and increase the pressure on institutions and governments” in preparation for the European elections. She also explained that, “we no longer accept that more than a half of the European population is constantly excluded from decision-making that affects their daily life”, in a reference to Yves Mersch, who is still being put forward as a candidate for the exclusively male Board of Governors at the European Central Bank. Her Socialist colleague, Zita Gurmai (S&D, Hungary) was keen to point out that more equality in decision making provided greater added value to the institutions and society. She is also highlighting the fact that gender equality is a fundamental principle of the European Union and to achieve this end, the European institutions should set an example. (M/Dtransl.fl)
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