That’s compared to just five women (including von der Leyen herself) — or six if you include Spain’s expected pick Teresa Ribera, who is yet to be officially nominated.
Two moves Thursday tipped the scales further, as Romania confirmed it would nominate Victor Negrescu, then Luxembourg put forward Christophe Hansen for the plum role. If Denmark and Italy follow suit by naming men, as they are widely expected to do, it would become likely that two-thirds of the EU’s 27 commissioners will be male.
Leaders of EU countries have dismissed von der Leyen’s request for a choice, instead defiantly presenting her with a fait accompli and leaving the Commission chief almost powerless.
The likes of Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris have reminded von der Leyen that they are only obliged under the EU’s treaties to propose a single name to Brussels.
The only real lever von der Leyen has to pull in response is the portfolio she assigns them. But there are too many men for them all to get weak portfolios.
The gender balance could still change, however. The entire 27-person College of Commissioners must be approved in a single vote by the European Parliament, after all commissioners except von der Leyen undergo a grilling by MEPs this fall, raising the prospect that some male candidates could be rejected.
