Subordination of the Equality portfolio under another competence – rather than maintaining it as a standalone priority – sends a concerning signal about the next mandate. This is the warning issued by leading progressives in an open letter to European Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen.
PES Women President Zita Gurmai, S&D Member of European Parliament and FEPS Vice-President Lina Gálvez, S&D Group Coordinator of the FEMM Committee Joanna Scheuring Wielgus, PES Executive Vice-President Katarina Barley, and Vice-President of the S&D Group Heléne Fritzon said a less prominent commitment to equality by the incoming Commission stood in marked contrast to the positive work undertaken in the last mandate, spearheaded by outgoing Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli.
PES Women President Zita Gurmai said:
“Following the portfolios allocation, which honestly worries us, we couldn’t stay silent. That is why we progressives have joined forces to write this letter. We are seeking clear and concrete explanations from the Commission President to address the concerns of the feminist community, which continues to watch developments closely. The next Commission must deliver progress for women.”
The decision not to reappoint a dedicated Commission for Equality – as had been expected under the new political guidelines (page 20) – comes after the new Commission President also failed to achieve gender parity with the new College: another backward step compared to the last mandate.
With the fight for full gender equality expected to take 60 years to achieve, the letter outlines progressive expectations about the prioritisation of gender equality and gender mainstreaming in the new Commission. This includes appointing a gender equality special envoy under the President’s responsibility to facilitate effective coordination across all Commission portfolios and dedicated Equality Task Forces in each Directorate-General.
The open letter – sent to the European Commission President on Monday 7 October 2024 – can be read in full on the PES Women website.
