STRASBOURG (MNI) – The European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary
Affairs Committee late Monday declined to recommend Luxembourg Central
Bank Governor Yves Mersch for a position on the European Central Bank’s
Executive Board, citing concerns about a lack of women at the
institution.
The move does not have the power to stop Mersch from taking the
position for which he was chosen by Eurozone governments. However, it is
a strong political message from parliamentarians both about the issue of
gender representation and their willingness to take on EU governments.
Committee members apologised to Mersch for dragging his hearing
into their battle with EU governments, whom they accused of ignoring
their request for a female candidate. They said Mersch was well
qualified for the post.
The parliament’s ultimate recommendation, which will be taken by
the full plenary, will depend on whether EU Council President Herman Van
Rompuy makes a sufficiently conciliatory statement on the issue of
gender equality in his address on Tuesday.
–Brussels Newsroom, +324-952-28374; pkoh@mni-news.com
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