EU chief unveils her new team with women in top roles in right-leaning Commission
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen has put women in many of the top roles on her new team for her next five-year tenure at the head of the bloc
BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen put women in many of the top roles on her new team for her next five-year tenure at the head of the bloc on Tuesday, despite the reluctance of many EU member states to give in to her demand for gender parity.
Von der Leyen named only two men in her top echelon with four women as vice presidents, including Kaja Kallas as foreign policy chief. Kallas was already agreed on by government leaders.
Von der Leyen on Tuesday added Spanish Socialist Teresa Ribera to lead the green transition, along with Ribera also becoming the competition czar. Finland's Henna Virkkunen was her pick for rule of law and digital leader, and Roxana Minzatu of Romania for social affairs leader.
The appointments of the Commission team — which veers to the right after the June elections saw a surge of far-right parties — still have to be confirmed.
