On Wednesday 16 March, the European Parliament’s Committees on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) and Legal Affairs (JURI) adopted by a large majority (46 votes in favour, 8 against, 2 abstentions) the mandate voted by the previous assembly in 2013 on the directive on gender balance in management boards.
Evelyn Regner (S&D, Austria), rapporteur for the FEMM Committee since the negotiations began 10 years ago, particularly welcomed this, stressing the importance of binding standards to advance the representation of women on boards. Similarly, Lara Wolters (S&D, Netherlands) stressed the need to move quickly now. “We should strike while the iron is hot”, she said.
According to the report, which has not been amended, at least 40% of non-executive directorships should be held by women. If equally qualified, priority should be given to the candidate of the “under-represented sex”. The proposal provides for sanctions for companies that do not respect open and transparent nomination procedures.
The vote follows the adoption of a political agreement on the directive earlier this week in the EU Council. According to the political agreement (‘general approach’) agreed by the ministers, companies should reach a minimum target by 2027 of either 40% of members of the under-represented sex for non-executive directors or 33% for all members of their board (see EUROPE 12910/16). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)