Romania has nominated MEP Roxana Mînzatu as its next European commissioner, switching its original pick after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for more women in key posts.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu confirmed the choice saying he had spoken to Ms von der Leyen about the change.
Ms Minzatu,44, is one of the names being circulated for the post of Commissioner for Cohesion, which fits her experience Romania’s minister for European funds in 2019.
Victor Negrescu who became a vice president of the European Parliament was the original choice. He is the head of the Romanian Socialist delegation in the Parliament.
“I understood Ursula von der Leyen requested more women candidates for commissioner so my name was never put forward. I accept this decision as I have always supported gender rights, which in my understanding was the only argument not to put my name forward. I hope other countries and political groups will make the same effort,” Negrescu told POLITICO.
Von der Leyen has been putting pressure on smaller countries to change their male candidates with a female one because of a lack of women nominees. There are now eight women nominees plus von der Leyen herself.
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