Finland is one of only five EU member states to nominate a women candidate for the next European Commission. That improves the chances that the Finnish nominee, Henna Virkkunen (NCP), could land a major portfolio, EU watchers say.
Last month, newly re-elected Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asked the 27 EU member states to nominate both women and men for the next College of Commissioners. So far, the vast majority of nominees are men, though.
Sixteen countries have put forth male candidates, while five countries have yet to announce their candidates. Of the five still to unveil their candidates, at least Italy and Denmark are expected to name men to the EU executive. The deadline is Friday.
"Once again, my goal is an equal share of men and women at the College table," von der Leyen said in July.
She nearly reached that target in 2019, when she became the first woman to chair the Commission.
Her current Commission, which steps down later this year, has two fewer women than men. The female members include ex-Finnish finance minister Jutta Urpilainen (SDP), now Commissioner for International Partnerships.
Each EU state has one representative on the board. The Finnish commissioner is usually named by the prime minister’s party, typically the largest in the national legislature.
Besides Finland, four other countries have proposed female candidates, including Spain, Sweden and Croatia. EU leaders have already named former Estonian PM Kaja Kallas as the EU's next High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
"Advantage that Virkkunen is a woman"
Virkkunen is on track to land a weighty portfolio related to the economy, industry or competitiveness, with a sizeable budget, EU observers tell Yle.
Lotta Nymann-Lindegren, director of EU affairs at the Confederation of Finnish Enterprises (EK), says that Virkkunen has a good chance to do so, based on her experience as an MEP and a cabinet minister, as well as her extensive EU networks.
Virkkunen, 52, was minister of education in 2008-11, followed by three years as minister of public administration and local government.
"Of course, we also have the advantage that Virkkunen is a woman and we know that quite a few female candidates have been appointed to this commission so far. That is something that the President of the Commission will have to consider when she distributes these portfolios," says Nymann-Lindegren.
According to rumours in Brussels, a portfolio focused on research, development and innovation could be suitable for Finland, Yle has learned. Those areas are among the spending priorities of the next Commission.
Finland may also be interested in the position of Commissioner for Competition, which includes matters such as state aid.
A commission source also tells Yle that a country that nominates a female candidate early on has a better chance to secure a major portfolio.
According to Alberto Alemanno, Jean Monnet Professor in EU Law at HEC Paris, Finland stands out in the crowd this time.
"You have a strong position, stronger than the many who are offering male candidates and demanding weighty portfolios," he told Yle.
In mid-July, the newly elected European Parliament re-elected von der Leyen as European Commission President by a margin of 401-284 in a secret ballot.
After all member states name their candidates for Commission posts, MEPs will question the nominees in hearings, probably in October, before voting on whether to endorse the Commission as a whole. In the past, the Parliament has decided that at least one commissioner candidate must be replaced.
The new EU executive is expected to take office in December.
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