Brussels, 18/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - As Jean-Claude Juncker works to form his team - which could be delayed by the appointment of the high representative of the EU being postponed until 30 August - the member states are due to present their candidates by the end of July, Herman Van Rompuy recently stated. Currently, only 12 candidates have been officially appointed. As EUROPE takes a look at the names put forward, it would appear that, as things stand, only eight countries are likely to nominate a woman.
Among those confirmed are Günther Oettinger (Germany), who might look for Trade, according to German press; Johannes Hahn (Austria); Jyrki Katainen (Finland) - the current commissioner for economic and monetary affairs; Neven Mimica (Croatia); Maros Sefcovic (Slovakia); Andrus Ansip MEP (Estonia); Phil Hogan (Ireland); Jonathan Hill (UK); Valdis Dombrovskis (Latvia); Vytenis Andriukaitis (Lithuania); Karmenu Vella (Malta); and Dacian Ciolos (Romania) - the current commissioner for agriculture.
Other countries need only to come to a decison, such as France which is expected to propose Pierre Moscovici. Italy is calling for its minister for foreign affairs, Federica Mogherini, to succeed Catherine Ashton. For Cyprus, it is Christos Stylianides MEP that the government could choose as a replacement for Androulla Vassiliou. Belgium must choose between Marianne Thyssen from the EPP, the Liberal Karel De Gucht, or even its minister, Joëlle Milquet. For Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk is pushing the candidacy of his minister Radek Sikorski to succeed Catherine Ashton but he does not have the support of France or Germany. An alternative would be to nominate former commissioner Danuta Hübner.
Bulgaria could send a woman in the person of Kristalina Georgieva. For Hungary, it is its minister Tibor Navracsics who is expected to succeed Laszlo Andor. Spain is expected to choose Miguel Arias Canete MEP, with the minister Luis de Guindos being mentioned for the Eurogroup. As for the Netherlands, the bookies' favourite is the president of the Eurogroup, Jeroen Djisselbloem, even though the minister for foreign affairs, Frans Timmermans, is also being mentioned for Ashton's post.
Great unknowns but possible good candidates on gender equality. The current commissioner for home affairs, Cecilia Malmström, could be re-appointed, with no other serious rival being opposed to her, except Carl Bildt. Janez Potocnik (Slovenia) could also stay. For Denmark, the names of Margrethe Vestager, the minister for the economy and home affairs, or Morten Bodskov, former minister of justice, are mentioned. The Czech government is reportedly hesitating between economist Pavel Mertklin and lobbyist Pavel Telicka. For Greece, the former minister for foreign affairs, Dora Bakoyannis, or Costis Hatzidakis are being mentioned, but the current commissioner, Maria Damanaki, would also like to stay. Lastly, Portugal could help gender equality focusing by going for Isabel Mota, the favourite, according to Portuguese media against two other women. (SP)