Austria, Greece and Slovenia ignore Von Der Leyen request for two Commissioner nominations

Ursula von der Leyen pledged to form a gender-balanced European Commission — but it’s looking like an uphill battle.

And some EU officials are bracing for the possibility that a standoff over appointments could even delay the new Commission from taking office on November 1, as envisioned under the EU treaties.

“Today, I am launching my call again for leaders to present the best candidates as European commissioners as possible,” she said at a news conference moments after the vote results were announced. “And I want to see as many men as women around the College table.”

Von der Leyen said in meetings with parliamentary groups last week that she wants every EU country to present both a male and a female nominee to be commissioner.

But three countries — Austria, Greece and Slovenia — have since defied her, by presenting just one nominee — a man. Others did the same before von der Leyen announced her plan — and show no signs of reconsidering.

via Politico