A Call for Action
May 28, 2008
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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I have been reading a lot recently – as I’m sure you have – about the possible candidates for the top EU posts next year. There will be Presidents appointed for the European Commission and the European Parliament and, if the Lisbon Treaty is ratified, there will be the posts of President of the European Council and a High Representative in Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. I have been struck by the fact that all of the people mentioned in the media are men. Indeed a recent article in Le Monde asked ‘which three men for Europe?’
In 50 years there has never been a female President of the Commission and only two female Presidents of the Parliament. I have been writing and speaking about the need for equal representation of women in politics since January this year when The Times first published my views on the matter. Last week I wrote articles in Le Monde, Le Soir and the Financial Times and I have since given a number of interviews on the subject to various media around Europe.
In the FT article I called on Heads of State and government, leaders of all the European political parties, social partners and civil society to engage in an active campaign to increase the presence of women actively engaged for Europe. A Call for Action which aims at:
1. Ensuring the equal representation of women among the top posts to be appointed next year.
2. Increasing the presence of women on the lists for the European elections
3. Increasing the women voter turn-out in the European Parliament election in June 2009.
These articles seem to have struck a chord in certain quarters. I was very pleased to see that the European Womens Lobby responded strongly, saying that they will be launching in autumn 2008 a European-wide, cross party campaign, urging all decision-makers, individuals and organisations interested in the promotion of democracy and justice to support this initiative at all levels and across the boundaries of countries and political parties.
They say (and I agree) that “The current under-representation of women in decision-making at all levels while they represent more than half of the population is a serious obstacle to the legitimacy of our European democracies and the European Union. And one that undermines all attempts to promote a more inclusive and participatory democracy.”
Mark Mardell of the BBC also wrote about the issue in his blog and has attracted a large number of comments.
It is not about a shortage of capable women, but rather a question of men choosing men.
As I argued in the FT - it is high time we break the “male cartel” in politics. It is not a question of whether women would do better than men – although they would certainly do equally well – but they would do things differently. (There is a great quote by cartoonist Bob Thaves: “Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels.”)
Women and men with their different knowledge and experience complement each other.
Let me be clear - I am not addressing this Call for Action exclusively at women. It is in mens’ interests that women should be equally represented in politics. Including women in the decision making process is about democratic representation. Nothing more, and nothing less.
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May 28th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Your inability to grasp reality is astounding.
You bleat that there are no women in the lists, and blah blah blah, how women are needed in democracy. Did you manage to grasp at all that these selections are non democratic to begin with. People are not getting a vote on the ‘Lisbon treaty’. People are not getting a vote on these high and mighty offices like ‘Presidents’, and the Foreign minister is Solana, we have no need to continue the despicable pretence that a change of name alters that, or that there is no Election, Solana already has the position.
You would not know democracy if it ran up to you and bit you on your backside. As for a lack of women in this despotic and dictatorial regime you are part of, frankly I don’t care. In a real democracy, women can step forward and ask for a vote like anyone else. Good Women will be voted for. Its blatantly incorrect you want to apply your warped social engineering to the subject. No woman should be on a list or have a leg up just to satisfy your social engineering.
“I was very pleased to see that the European Womens Lobby responded strongly”
Well, they would, wouldn’t they. This is like the ban turkey for Christmas campaign, Popular amongst Turkeys no doubt.
To get back on track, the biggest problem my dear lady is a wholly lacking amount of democracy in terms of the EU, not a lack of women.
May 28th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Como já te disse, uma vez, acho que tens toda a razão. A solução é instituir uma regra, sem mais demora, que consagre a alternância entre homens e mulheres nos cargos de chefia ou de direcção política, sem excepções, no interior da UE.
May 28th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
“Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels ”
I bet she was a bloody nuisance on the roads then .Namow diputs.
May 28th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Margot,
Woman are also not well represented in the Great Dictators Of The World.
When`s the last time we`ve had an evil warmongering female tyrant in the world since Catherine the Great ? You can do your bit if you become President of the EU.Just imagine the havoc, misery and suffering you can cause,and that`s just by the EU being the unwieldy monolithic institution it is.
You will probably need some torturers and I can help here. Torturing is not really womans work, men are better, and certian qualities are needed.
Ruthlessness, callousness and a good sense of humour are what you are looking for.Do you want me to interview applicants now ?
May 28th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Margot - isn’t there just an application form you can fill in?
May 28th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
I want more chimpanzees at the EU. They’d be just as effective, less interfering, pompous and authoritarian and they’d be happy with a few bananas every day, not the sky high salaries and expenses that EU staff seem to think necessary for themselves. They wouldn’t be as liable to any dodgy Edith Cresson type behaviour either. That’s one top EU woman you didn’t mention in your article Margot.
Let me be clear - Margot, the EU is not interested in democratic representation from either men or women. That’s why the no votes in the referendums were bypassed by the disgraceful constitution/plan D/Lisbon treaty episode.
May 28th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Dear Mrs. Wallström,
I fully agree with your point of view. We shall have a Madame Europe sitting at least at one out of the three (or four) heads of the Union. That would show EU citizens and our partners around the world that here we do things differently. Gender equality would be boosted by such a innovative move.
Best regards,
Matteo - Bruxelles
May 28th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
The Tom Peters challenge is relevant to the EU Commission & Parliament but the list of other qualified stunning ladies that can bring positive leadership to the EU must be put forward here. Spanish politician, Esperanza Aguirre DBE is one of them with outstanding achievements that is better than most in the Brussels boys club.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:29 am
In Italy Mr.Berlusconi, as Mr.Veltroni that now is at the opposition, are accused to have only a few of candidate women. In Spain Zapatero has 8 minister women. Here for many people to have more women in parliement not is very important. We need statesmen (or, if you prefere, statewomen).
My opinion is that the difference between man and woman is only sexual. The women and the men are equals, identical, on “intellectual” work. In the political field to be man or woman is not important.
We had a transexual in our parliement (Mr./Ms Luxuria): her/his vote had the same value of a men/woman. The same value had the pornostar Cicciolina (Ilona Staller). The same value had Mr. Cuffaro, condamned to 5 years for mafia. The same value had the ideologue of terrorism Mr. Toni Negri.
The iatalian people voted Ms. Emma Bonino because she is a big statewomen, not because she is a women!!!
We need statesmen/stateswomen.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I absolutely agree with you Mrs. Wallstrom. But I think that there are many things that statesmen could do to promote women being candidates in top jobs. The issue arising here is that do not do them! And I really can not understand why. Of course I am talking about women that have the qualifications to fill top jobs in their countries and in Europe. In the Greek Parliament a very small percentage of the members are women and Mr. Karamanlis is having only 2 women being Ministers in his Cabinet. And let me add that I also see eye to eye with you lumenlux in the point that the difference between men and women is only sexual! And that everything is up to qualifications!!! If a woman comes up having the proper qualifications and qualities to fill a post like that of European Council President or Commission President or President of the EU Parliament or whatever, I think that she will definitely be backed!!! But that without taking into account the desire of the ”powerful” european countries!! Do not you think?
May 29th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Dear Margot,
Unless you’re going to make a ‘Sherman Speech’ (”If drafted, I will not run; if nominated, I will not accept; if elected, I will not serve.”) you may be leading people to believe that you are a candidate.
Personally, I’d be happy if you were, because:
a) You are more realistic than all the alternative front runners.
b) You don’t have an inflated sense of self-importance than characterises all the alternative front runners.
c) You have an open-door communication policy.
d) You are not any of the alternative front runners.
The fact that you are a woman is - as it should be - irrelevant.
I’ll still oppose most of your policies - and the very notion of ‘ever closer union’. But at least I will have some personal respect for the person of the ‘President’. (Currently I have little respect for any of your fellow contenders, some of whom really should be placed in quarantine).
Alternatively the EU could select its President in a Eurovision-style contest: (”Toneee Blair, Royaume-Uni - nil point! Silvio Berlusconi [avec bandana] - Italia - douze point!).
May 29th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Well, wouldn’t you know it. Margot’s banging on about wimmin again.
But I’m not sure if it would be too good an idea having more of them as representatives and legislators. The regulatory overload is unbearable as it is but just imagine what it would be like if wimmin added that characteristically chaotic visio-spatial feminine touch of theirs. Here’s a flavour of things to come if we’re not extremely careful.
A new sign in the Bank Lobby reads:
“Please note that this Bank is installing new Drive-through ATM machines enabling customers to withdraw cash without leaving their vehicles.
Customers using this new facility are requested to use the procedures outlined below when accessing their accounts.
After months of careful research, MALE & FEMALE Procedures have been developed. Please follow the Appropriate steps for your sex.”
MALE PROCEDURE:
1. Drive up to the cash machine.
2. Put down your car window.
3. Insert card into machine and enter PIN.
4. Enter amount of cash required and withdraw.
5. Retrieve card, cash and receipt.
6. Put window up.
7. Drive off.
FEMALE PROCEDURE:
1. Drive up to cash machine.
2. Reverse and back up the required amount to align car window with the machine.
3. Set parking brake, put the window down.
4. Find handbag, remove all contents on to passenger seat to locate card.
5. Tell person on cell phone you will call them back and hang up.
6. Attempt to insert card into machine.
7. Open car door to allow easier access to machine due to its excessive distance from the car.
8. Insert card.
9. Re-insert card the right way.
10. Dig through handbag to find diary with your PIN written on the inside back page.
11. Enter PIN.
12. Press cancel and re-enter correct PIN.
13. Enter amount of cash required.
14. Check makeup in rear view mirror.
15. Retrieve cash and receipt.
16. Empty handbag again to locate wallet and place cash inside.
17. Write debit amount in check register and place receipt in back of checkbook.
18. Re-check makeup.
19. Drive forward 2 feet.
20. Reverse back to cash machine.
21. Retrieve card.
22. Re-empty hand bag, locate card holder, and place card into the slot provided!
23. Give dirty look to irate male driver waiting behind you.
24. Restart stalled engine and pull off.
25. Redial person on cell phone.
26. Drive for 2 to 3 miles.
27. Release Parking Brake.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I’d like to offer an olive branch of peace across the ideological divide if I might Margot.
I’ll agree to back your campaign for more women at those higher levels on one condition and one condition only.
That you promise not to take up any of those posts even if offered to you.
May 29th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
“Como já te disse, uma vez, acho que tens toda a razão. A solução é instituir uma regra, sem mais demora, que consagre a alternância entre homens e mulheres nos cargos de chefia ou de direcção política, sem excepções, no interior da UE.”
[Miguel Banana]
Why stop there?
Why not go on and force people to have regular sex changes?
May 29th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
ADDENDUM
Damn! Wimmin must have been involved in drawing up the ATM machine procedures I mentioned above. A proper one for men should read:
MEN:
This is a drive-through cash machine.
May 29th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I am so sorry! I should be ashamed! I made a terrible mistake. In my previous post, at the end I meant ”Don’t you think” and not that horrible thing that I wrote!!
May 29th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Bonjour à tou(te)s,
Sans doute la question de la parité femmes-hommes dans la représentation démocratique doit être posée. Mais ce n’est qu’un des aspects d’un problème plus large : en dépit de réels progrès ces dernières années, la diversité sociologique n’est pas traduite de manière satisfaisante dans les cercles de décision politique.
Élire un représentant pour qu’il porte vos idées c’est un peu choisir quelqu’un qui vous ressemble. Aujourd’hui, un peu partout dans l’Union européenne, de larges fractions de la population n’ont pas cette possibilité et c’est certainement une des raisons de leur désintérêt pour les affaires publiques.
Une telle situation résulte de la confiscation du pouvoir par des élites autoproclamées et cooptées mais aussi de l’autocensure de celles et ceux qui sont mal représentés (et n’osent pas se porter candidats). Ce constat s’applique fort bien à la question de la parité femmes-hommes!
Faire davantage “tourner” le personnel politique est une bonne piste pour que cela change : un seul mandat, renouvelable 2 fois et pas plus, voilà qui libèrerait un peu d’espace pour d’autres candidats ayant le potentiel pour réussir.
S’agissant des 4 postes dont vous parlez, Madame Wallström, je ferai les constatations suivantes :
a) pour la Présidence de la commission, si JM Barroso est candidat et que les élections européennes font ressortir une majorité PPE, les femmes ont probablement peu de chances
b) Pour le Parlement, compte tenu de la parité effective de la représentation, il y a 1 chance sur 2 pour que ce soit une femme
c) Pour le poste de Haut Représentant pour les Affaires Étrangères, B Ferrero-Waldner ferait à mon avis une excellente candidate
d) Pour la Présidence du Conseil Européen, je confirme simplement ma suggestion d’il y a quelques semaines sur ce blog : déclarez votre candidature, Madame Wallström !
May 30th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Dear Margot, dear all,
I got here directly from http://www.internazionale.it, the Italian magazine dedicated to international press which highlighted your statement about women in EU parliament.
Of course the problem is highly debated. I suppose everywhere, not just in the EU Parliament and Commissions.
I am Italian and it is true that in our Parliament the vast majority of MPs are male and neither Berlusconi nor Veltroni have actually kept their electoral promises about “opening larger doors” to female candidates.
At the same time, it is true that it would be equally unjust to set “quotas” for female MPs, candidates or representatives.
As this would mean that we are incapable of overcoming the genden discrimination, actually admitting implicitly that men and women ARE different.
It is useful to stress, moreover, that you don’t just fill an application in to be a representative in the EU Parliament but normally this derives from a political career in your own country, that starts from positions in local administrations and grows to national and subsequently international.
Any country, or else any town is responsible for giving space to women who want to be engaged in politics. This unfortunately doesnt happen so often, so women already encounter problems in their early steps in political careers.
Furthermore - at least in Italy - too many female politicians end up in Parliament without a real experience in local administrations or communities showing their talent, but rather because they are related to male politicians or male politicians’ friends. This should not happen as it can further create damage to the imagine of women in politics, creating the annoying opinion of too many male politicians that “if women are there, well they will know someone important…”.
So please go on with your blog and your clever posts, Margot.
If you agree, I will add you in my personal blog, to advise my readers to have a look here.
Congratulation for this space.
May 30th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Who says that EUsceptics don’t have a sense of humour?
May 30th, 2008 at 10:44 am
A comment on a comment.
People living in places where they have ‘drive-through ATMs’ are not quite understood in Europe, I think. This proves, that while there are more male (famous) geniuses in science and politics for example, there are also more male idiots in this world.
May 30th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
So women should be better represented among those who we can’t vote for?
Whatever.
May 30th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Well, commissioner, events are overtaking you and all the member state governments.
Your green crusade, along with rocketing fuel prices mean that across the economies, people, and companies are going to the wall. Off course, wise government would cut the astronomic taxation on fuel in such times, but we know you not to be wise. You’re probably leaping around your room in delight at seeing all these nasty oil consuming, planet killing, citizen scum going down.
In case you’ve missed it. The prices of goods owned by people, in particular, cars and housing is crashing right now. The finance to make changes, for instance, switching a business to green ideas has also dried up. People are losing jobs, businesses are being crippled, and recession is biting. Everything runs on oil, though you like it not. The food arriving in my local store has a rocketing price because putting it there costs more. In the meantime, your treasuries are raking in a monsterous 80%+ tax on fuel in the UK (I use it by example). Taking 80 percent of the price of goods when the price is backbreaking is a stupid tax. You can offset some of the economic breakage immediately by reducing the taxes taken on the commodity, you don’t need to provide socialists stupid ‘rebates’, but cut the tax at the pump.
Oh, and by the way, just so you know, get this wrong, and the next cycle in this disaster is rocketing interest rates. And trust me on this, it won’t be just us crying when it happens, Some of you jokers are going to end up hanging from the lamposts if you keep getting this so badly wrong.
You’ll lose more tax in the economy crashing than you will in cutting the direct taxes on fuels.
There are fuel protests all around Europe, they are not going to go away folks, you better get off your back useless backsides and do something useful for once in your lives.
May 31st, 2008 at 1:25 am
The above comment by Anonymous ( http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/wallstrom/a-call-for-action/#comment-79613 ) gets to the point and elucidates today’s exceptional situation: while we have this time REAL, very serious problems to solve NOW, our dear governors still play their usual games emphasising their sexual, ideological, religious and other GENERAL, let alone subjective features and preferences. It’s difficult to remain “polite” in face of such contrast, on the background of very important, inevitable changes to realise. If your passion, Margot, is to convince everybody that women are great, then there is no better moment for you, being a woman in a high position, to directly PROVE it, without any general appeals for others to blindly believe it (why should we believe it if it has never been confirmed, until now, after very extensive equality experience?). Just step out and propose your version of provably efficient, well-specified, new solutions to all those catastrophically growing problems. Be our Jeanne d’Arc and we’ll worship you (did Jeanne d’Arc need a “gender equality” to become the true leader?). Be at least half of it, at least a quarter… If those properties of your solutions become at least generally confirmed (they will, very quickly, if they are there, even before any practical realisation), then you would never need to emphasise “equality”: everyone will know that (at least some) women are greater, objectively. And of course, you’ll have all your desired high posts and opportunities to realise those solutions. But if it’s not the case and you cannot propose anything so special, then is it really a good time now to fight for those vain politico-ideological purposes, when we do have exceptionally great and always growing problems? What is the world you live in, indeed, our dear governors, if you don’t see, from your top positions, the emerging important, major tendencies and problems, which are evident now to all “ordinary people” below? Contrary to you, they are not professional decision makers with practically unlimited technical possibilities, but the scale of change attains now such level that its challenge becomes evident to everybody, enters into every home and any profession. To everybody except just those top-level professionals whose main task is to deal with those social problems because they prefer to play instead their usual “sexual games”. Sorry but it becomes grotesque and unfortunately the situation is neither personal, nor reduced to those gender equality games. Something is seriously wrong with the whole system if it continues its usual vanity fair in all fields, from politics to science, while almost everything is touched by a deeply rooted, uncontrolled and misunderstood crisis promising only to grow… That show must not go on, not any more.
May 31st, 2008 at 5:11 pm
peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil peak oil
Dear Margot,
Don’t you understand? We’re getting scared? Oil prices are sky rocketting and keep on getting higher. Peak oil warnings are taking over the internet. But yet we hardly ever see or hear anyting about it through mainstream media. The Commission talks about renewable energy and green ways to consume it and that’s great, but what about the gap between the reality now and your dreams for the future?
Thank you in advance for addressing this peak oil theory in your next blog. You can call it false and rubbish, but just let us know where the Commission stands on this.
June 1st, 2008 at 11:49 pm
[quote]There will be Presidents appointed for the European Commission and the European Parliament [quote].
How completely democratic!
not that i take any notice of YOUR union…or it`s unelecten minions!.
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:04 pm
So long as 80% of the price of petrol at the pump (in the UK) is duty, tax (and added VAT on top), I’m not really worried about ‘peak oil’. The UK government could cut it’s taxes by 50% and we’d still be paying higher prices in the US and elsewhere.
(Please don’t mention using oil prices as a way of modifying my behaviour in the face of ‘climate change’. Regular readers of this blog will know I don’t believe in fairy tales).
June 2nd, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Give us names, Margot!
I totally agree with your points – also with the last one, i.e. that this is not only an issue for women – and I am equally disappointed that even on the level of guesswork and rumours there are only men’s names circulating… But, please, somebody must begin circulating the women’s names! I think it’s not enough to state that there are sufficiently able women for those top jobs, but name a few in particular (e.g. like Yves did in his comment) of whom you think they are fit and have a realistic chance. Your support would greatly increase their chances, I think, and thus be a better service to gender equality in top positions than just another abstract call…
And if your name is among those, I will be, just like fellow commenters above, happy to support
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Hmmm… - Margot Wahlström - Apropå det här med att kvinnor är så fåtaligt representerade i de översta MaktElitSkikten både nationellt i Sverige och globalt sett - och då ej minst inom EU, tyvärr tyvärr…
Måhända finns en hel del av svaret på varför att söka i wår ebarmeligt barbariska och kvinnoförnekande historia, kanske… Själv har jag ordat en del om det här på
http://josefboberg.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/haxprocesser-da-och-nu
Personligen kan jag inget annat önska än att många många - såväl kvinnor som män - med förenade krafter lyckas med att så småningom ändra på det här till BALANS mellan män och kvinnor.
Jag menar då naturligtvis ej alls att en sådan balans föreligger - ifall dessa framtida kvinnor fungerar som ju dom allra flesta MaktelitMännen har gjort historiskt = mer eller mindre ger faen i vad som är det bästa för MedMänniskorna i gemen - utan mer eller mindre enbart ägnar sig åt att få än mera Makt själva - eller i vart fall sno åt sig själva så mycket som det bara går - utan ett uns av tankeidé om att Wi ju alla i grund och botten är ett och detsamma, faktiskt…
Lycka till Margot - med att kvinnor både kan och vill på ett kvinnligt sätt = men ej alls på männens förlegade MaktVillkors sätt !
Ha det…
/önskar folkstyres-vännen Josef (kvinnor är definitivt också folk - i mitt mer än 67-årade livsperspektiv sett i vart fall)
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:37 pm
A call for action ,yes :
start installing solar panels and turbines on every building in the EU, cover every parking lot with solar panels and give shade to cars, all sides of freeways and highways walled with solar panels and turbines, electric plugs in every gas station, E-85 ethanol and biodiesel mixes in every gas station, who will do it ? who will give the order today?
June 3rd, 2008 at 7:26 am
I am willing to vote for the first candidate who will disown “Article 50″, for everyone not in the know “Article 50″ you receive the same inflation proofed salary / perks etc., for 5 years ( ie a total of £750,00 for simply doing nothing) or until retirement age whichever is longer.
Have you disowned yours Margot?
June 3rd, 2008 at 10:39 am
A better way of equalising the sex ratio at the EU would be to sack lots of men. Let’s face it, most EU staff do nothing useful and this would be the most cost effective way of solving this ‘problem’.
For a start, assuming that the pointless Strasburg HQ is staffed mostly by men, closing it would be beneficial to the sex ratio, as well as good for the environment. If it were closed, perhaps Edith Cresson could be taken on as the janitor to look after it until a new buyer is found. This would mean she earns the money she gets from the EU, pays us back for her less than scrupulous care with our money and would also get another woman back on the EU staff.
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
A poll of 1,000 UK Chief Executives conducted by ICM for Open Europe found that 54% now think the benefits of the Single Market are outweighed by the costs of EU regulation.
Open Europe today releases the first independent poll on the future of the European Union to be carried out in all 27 EU member states. As EU leaders gather in Berlin to agree a declaration on the future of Europe, we asked voters how they thought the EU should change. TNS carried out interviews in all EU member states during March.
Key findings
75% of people in the EU want a referendum on any new treaty which gives more powers to the EU. In the UK, 83% would want a vote to be held. A majority in all 27 countries would want a referendum.
Across the EU as a whole, 28% think the EU should have more powers than it has now and that more decisions should be taken at the European level. 23% think the EU should keep the powers it has now, but should not be given any more. 41% think the EU should have less powers than it has now and that more decisions should be taken at a national or local level. In the UK the equivalent figures were 11%, 27%, and 58% - a clear majority for taking powers back.
If there was a referendum on a treaty giving new powers to the EU, on average 41% of people in the EU would vote for it, with an exactly equal 41% voting against. But UK voters would vote more than three to one against a such a new treaty (67% - 21%). Majorities would also vote “no” in 16 EU countries, including Germany.
While the Berlin Declaration is to cite the euro as one of the great achievements of the EU, a majority of citizens in the eurozone want to go back to their old national currencies. For the eurozone as a whole 47% wanted to keep the euro, but 49% wanted to go back to their old currency. There is majority support for keeping the euro in only 6 out of the 13 euro member countries.
If there were a referendum, 11 out of the 14 non euro members would vote not to join the euro. Opposition to joining in the UK is at its highest ever: 77% – 19% against. Only Romania, Denmark and Malta would vote to join.
Looking at how the EU should change, across the EU as a whole, voters’ top priorities were to establish clear fixed limits on the powers of the EU, and to reduce the EU’s trade barriers against developing countries. Their lowest priorities are the creation of an EU foreign minister, further enlargement and CAP reform.
In the UK, the voters’ top priority is to “turn the EU into just a simple free trade area, without political aims”. Their bottom priority would be the creation of an EU foreign minister.
For the EU as a whole, 56% agreed with the statement that “the European Union does not represent ordinary people in our country”. Only 34% disagreed. In the UK the figures were 68% - 27%.
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:59 pm
L.S.,
Á propos “clear fixed limits on the powers of the EU”, let’s look at what the Treaty actually says. From the post-Reform Treaty :
“Article 3
1. The Union shall have exclusive competence in the following areas:
(a) customs union;
(b) the establishing of the competition rules necessary for the functioning of the internal market;
(c) monetary policy for the Member States whose currency is the euro;
(d) the conservation of marine biological resources under the common fisheries policy;
(e) common commercial policy.
2. The Union shall also have exclusive competence for the conclusion of an international agreement when its conclusion is provided for in a legislative act of the Union or is necessary to enable the Union to exercise its internal competence, or in so far as its conclusion may affect common rules or alter their scope.
Article 4
1. The Union shall share competence with the Member States where the Treaties confer on it a competence which does not relate to the areas referred to in Articles 3 and 6.
2. Shared competence between the Union and the Member States applies in the following principal areas:
(a) internal market;
(b) social policy, for the aspects defined in this Treaty;
(c) economic, social and territorial cohesion;
(d) agriculture and fisheries, excluding the conservation of marine biological resources;
(e) environment;
(f) consumer protection;
(g) transport;
(h) trans-European networks;
(i) energy;
(j) area of freedom, security and justice;
(k) common safety concerns in public health matters, for the aspects defined in this Treaty.
3. In the areas of research, technological development and space, the Union shall have competence
to carry out activities, in particular to define and implement programmes; however, the exercise of that competence shall not result in Member States being prevented from exercising theirs.
4. In the areas of development cooperation and humanitarian aid, the Union shall have
competence to carry out activities and conduct a common policy; however, the exercise of that
competence shall not result in Member States being prevented from exercising theirs.”
Clear enough? Because I assure you there is no fundamental that is clearer than this. To the extent that one wishes to compare with constitutions, take a look at article I(8) of the US Constitution, or articles 73 and 74 of the German Basic Law. A non-constitution equivalent is schedule 5 to the Scotland Act of 1998.
June 4th, 2008 at 12:15 am
There is no doubt that the more the time passes the more women we see
in administrative boards! For example, in the Prodi’s commission
there were 5 women-commissioners out of 20, whereas in the present
commission there are 9 out of 27. We have to take into consideration
that posts like the president of the European Council(provided the
Lisbon Treaty is ratified) are of high importance. Should a woman
have the quality and the qualifications for such a post than she ought
to go for it.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
You are absolutely right! The problem is that there appears to be a reluctance among those women with the profile and experience to do a representational job on the world stage to put themselves forward. Ginger Rogers did not sit around waiting to be asked to dance. She said ‘I can do this!’ and went out and did it. Unless the obvious candidates are prepared to leave their domestic politics, or to rule themselves in rather than ruling themselves out, not a lot is going to happen. Unfortunately. So go twist a few arms! Best wishes.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I agree with what Mss. Margot Wallstrom said in this article. The smart and prepared women are able to do the same things like men are doing and sometimes more. I`m not very good in English. So,..
Les autres questions sont secondaires Les femmes sont tres fortes quand elles veullent, plus des hommes et je pense qu`elles meritent d`etre plus represantees dans les organisations europeenes.
J`aimerai beaucoup travailler dans ce sens avec Mme Wallstrom ou avec d`autres personnes pour qe ce but soit accomplis.
June 5th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Liliana said: “Les autres questions sont secondaires. Les femmes sont tres fortes quand elles veullent, plus des hommes et je pense qu`elles meritent d`etre plus represantees dans les organisations europeenes. J`aimerai beaucoup travailler dans ce sens avec Mme Wallstrom ou avec d`autres personnes pour qe ce but soit accomplis.”
C’est ça, Liliana, merci pour préciser le “vrai” objectif d’Union Européenne qui reste un peu mou autrement. Mais maintenant on voit plus clair, le vrai objectif c’est les femmes (quoi d’autre?!) et plus précisément leur représentation dominante dans les structures européennes. Clarté exemplaire qui amènera certainement la solution de tous les autres problemes européens, évidemment très “secondaires” par rapport à l’Objectif Principal. Le futur de l’Europe est enfin sauvé par sa jeunesse féminine.
And you are absolutely right, your attitude is a very precise reflexion of the above Commissioner’s logic: women’s government is the purpose. Once it’s attained, we’ll forget about all other, “secondary” problems that persist exclusively because of unfair men domination in governing European structures (cf. my previous comment on this post). Only a final touch remains to be added to start this glorious way, unification of Eastern and Western girls (men on both sides are really redundant in this enterprise!). And knowing the huge energy stock of the Eastern component of this Great Matriarchal Union (Europe is also redundant here, actually), one can hardly have any doubts about its success.
Only two small problems need to be settled to start the triumph: your, Liliana, problemes with English (and French actually too) and the lost user’s guide to liberated women’s energy explaining how to transform this dangerous weapon to peaceful applications. I even suspect that a few cocks should still be preserved in that forthcoming European Henhouse, just for “secondary” purposes, you know…
En attendant, Mesdames, on reste vos humbles serviteurs pour vous aider à atteindre l’Objectif Principal Européen.
[It's true, without girls this European decadence would be much less amusing. See now why we are so under-developed here in the East? With that female energy...]
June 5th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
L.S.,
Just look at the top ranked graduates in the ÉNA this year! The ones that went to the conseil d’état were all women, for the top three destinations there were 6 women and 6 men, and in total the graduating class consisted of 36 women and 44 men, if my count is correct. However, I explicitly reserve judgement about whether this is a good thing. (One of those 36 is a former colleague of mine. She did an excellent job at the time, but I highly doubt whether her gender had anything to do with that.)
(From the French official journal):
Conseil d’Etat: Mme Gaschet (Bethânia), Mme Monplaisir (Cécile), Mme Raquin (Cécile), Mme Rivière (Constance).
Cour des comptes: M. Brouillet (Jérôme), M. Fetet (Simon), M. Marcovitch (Emmanuel), Mme Message (Marie).
Inspection générale des finances: Mme Lapidus (Aurélie), M. Lecerf (Pierre-Emmanuel), M. Martel (Laurent), M. Richard de Latour (Jean).
June 6th, 2008 at 11:05 am
ty
June 6th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
How are the EU’s D Day anniversary celebrations going today Margot?
June 6th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Poll shows Lisbon Treaty heading for shock defeat.
Inshallah!
June 6th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Why is the gender of a politician important? Shouldn’t we rather select people based on democratic support?
Sure a demographic identifier as gender, number of children, number of friends, languages may play a role in the selection but what you propose is positive discrimination for women.
““… while they represent more than half of the population is a serious obstacle to the legitimacy of our European democracies and the European Union.”
In fact Commissioners right now “represent” no one.
June 9th, 2008 at 12:42 am
Thank you for the service you provided on your page, only in short words I wish to express, that it would be strange for you read this, but the solution to all problems, not only in Europe but worldwide, has been in a system, that could catalog, almost perfect, great positive impact on people’s lives and the world economy. This is not the best way to talk about something as important and my only goal is to achieve system carefully to expose the President of the European Commission. thank you for your attention and my greatest respect for you.
June 11th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
There was an interview with Margot on this topic on BBC World recently:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/bbc_parliament/7440768.stm
June 13th, 2008 at 11:10 am
A citizen’s petition has been launched to lobby for a woman to win one of the top four EU posts up for grabs next year!
Please sign if you think this is an important isssue:
http://www.femalesinfront.eu/default.asp?lang=gb&view=front
See also an article about this in the euobserver.com:
http://euobserver.com/851/26271
June 17th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Thx Margot, gracias, merci for the inclusion of gender equality in the agenda and media agenda.
Being a wikipedist I tried to summarise in a post on OECD Wiki what is doing The EC for gender equality.I did not wirte about commissioners or top jobs or equality inside the Commission. It would be nice to have someone from the Commmission to complete.
It is the Article of the Week
http://www.wikigender.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page
http://www.wikigender.org/wiki/index.php?title=European_Commission
June 18th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Today I read your article in the danish newspaper Berlingske Tidende. I am so satisfied that a person in your position brings up this topic. Again and again I have made the same comment on the pictures from the “family” - the funny thing is that I have just a smile as reaction from all the men I have asked “where do you think the women are”?
I was myself employed in SAS for many years. Some of the leaders in the SAS-group established a group to help promote women leaders. It was hard work - and it is now more than 30 years ago. It is a long way to go - but if nobody takes the steps nothing will happen I am sure.
So the lobby is relevant and I support it very much …
Else Corint Andersen
July 8th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
[...] the weeks following my Call for Action on Gender Equality (see here and here), I’m happy to see that a variety of people have responded favourably. Cassandra [...]
July 8th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
You’re dead right about men appointing men. Surely you understand, Margot, how the Freemasons do things? That’s what you’re up against!
Peter
June 4th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Can only see benefit if more women can fit in leading positions. But I am opposed to the receive sites / records because they are women. They should get them because they are the right person for the mission!
October 29th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Excellent read.
Thanks for sharing
A lot needs to be done to undo the damage already caused.
People need to be educated to be more responsible about their own actions and the Chinese government needs to be able to support its people.
We have great ideas but it costs too much in both time and money and this is where people start thinking less about the impact of our daily lives on our environment and no scare tactic seems to work