By Alexandra Sandacz
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

BRUSSELS, Belgium – Recently, the European Council and the European Parliament have struggled over the lack of women on the European Central Bank’s governing council.

Currently, women hold only 17 percent of the top positions in the central banks of the 27-member European Union. Their representation in higher positions falls dramatically and is non-existent at the top levels.

As of 1998, only two women have occupied positions on the ECB’s executive board. Moreover, unless a woman is appointed to the current vacancy, another woman could not be appointed until May 31, 2018, when ECB Vice President, Vitor Constancio, is expected step down.

Although Parliament does not explicitly hold veto power as to the appointment of council members, Parliament questions candidates through public hearings and floor debates. The European Commission and lawmakers at the European Parliament have strived to push for a woman to be a member of the ECB executive board since 2010.

In a letter to the EU governments, various members of the European Parliament wrote, “We notice that the EU member states’ nominations to some of the most important… EU institutions result in an appallingly monotonous line-up of nominees.”

Sylvie Goulard, a European member of parliament, wrote a letter to Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council, stating, “At issue is discrimination” and requested “that at least one woman is immediately appointed to the ECB Governing Council.”

In a push to appoint a woman to the ECB executive board, Parliamentarians postponed hearings to fill the seat on the executive board of the European Central Bank because not enough women were promoted as candidates. Also, Parliament continues to delay Luxembourg’s Yves Mersch appointment to the ECB.

In order to achieve their goal, the European Parliament will have to produce a satisfactory candidate because their only authoritative power is a limited legislative power over the European Banking Authority. Consequentially, the European Parliament’s wish to appoint a woman could be ignored.

Ironically, this current gender equality struggle occurs simultaneously as the European Commission plans to introduce a potential requirement for private companies’ non-executive boards to be at least 40 percent female by 2020, otherwise facing fines and other sanctions. Nine European states are opposed to this potential quota plan.

Viviane Reding, the European Union’s justice commissioner, said on Monday, “Thankfully, European laws on important topics like this are not made by 10 men in dark suits behind closed doors, but rather in a democratic process with a democratically elected European Parliament, which will decide on an equal footing with the council.”

For further information, please see:

The Commentator — EU Commission quota plan would violate human rights – 1 October 2012

Spiegel — Europe Battles over Gender Equality at the ECB – 1 October 2012

Reuters — EU parliament steps up push for woman in top ECB role – 25 September 2012

The New York Times — European Central Bank Candidacy Delayed Over Lack of Women – 7 September 2012