Belgium was the only EU country to miss the time limit set by Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen to ensure gender balance among senior officials. The country has now nominated Hadja Lahbib, its federal minister for foreign affairs and trade, to serve in the next European Commission. Lahbib served a significant role during Belgium’s EU presidency and has a background as a news anchor for the Belgian French-speaking channel RTBF. Romania also changed its candidate to Roxana Mînzatu to maintain gender balance among top EU officials. Lahbib’s nomination was confirmed by the centrist Reformist Movement (MR) president Georges-Louis Bouchez.
Lahbib took over as foreign affairs minister in 2022, succeeding Sophie Wilmès under Prime Minister De Croo’s government. She was the last candidate to be submitted by Belgium, missing the deadline set by von der Leyen but ultimately being selected for the position. Lahbib’s nomination is part of broader negotiations to form a coalition government in Belgium. The process involved speculation about other contenders such as Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke and incumbent commissioner Didier Reynders. With Lahbib’s selection, all EU member states have now presented their nominees for the next European Commission.
The situation surrounding the nominations remains fluid, with rumors that von der Leyen has asked some countries to reconsider their candidates for a more gender-balanced Commission. Mînzatu, the new candidate from Romania, held a meeting with von der Leyen to discuss her appointment. The president has emphasized her ambition for a more gender-balanced college within the European Commission. Belgium’s delay in submitting a candidate led to concerns, especially from Reynders, who expressed disappointment with the MR’s decision to select Lahbib for the role.
With Lahbib and Mînzatu’s nominations, women would represent 9 out of the 27 most senior positions in the Brussels EU executive, excluding Bulgaria, which has both male and female candidates for von der Leyen to consider. The changes in candidates reflect von der Leyen’s efforts to promote gender equality within the European Commission. Lahbib’s extensive experience both in politics and as a news anchor make her a strong choice for the position. Despite missing the deadline, Belgium’s submission of Lahbib ultimately meets the requirements set by von der Leyen for a gender-balanced Commission.
Overall, the nominations of Lahbib and Mînzatu represent a step forward in achieving gender balance among senior EU officials. The selection process involved negotiations and discussions among various parties to ensure that the composition of the European Commission reflects the diversity of the EU member states. With Lahbib set to serve in the next European Commission, Belgium has demonstrated its commitment to gender equality and representation at the highest levels of the EU government. The situation highlights the importance of promoting diversity and inclusivity in decision-making processes within the European Union.
