Was gender equality made to take a backseat in the next Commission?

Is EU policy on equality going to take a backseat in the upcoming mandate of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen?

Back in 2019, von der Leyen named Malta’s Helena Dalli the EU’s Commissioner in charge of equality. But last week, when she announced her proposal for the new team of European Commissioners, von der Leyen ditched the equality portfolio, combining it instead with “preparedness and crisis management”.

Many NGOs defending women’s rights reacted to what they saw as von der Leyen’s worrying lack of consideration for the issue at a time when far-right parties — which oppose the idea that gender issues are crucial — are entering the government all over Europe.

What happened to the equality portfolio? What should we expect from the EU Commission on this issue?

Today, Radio Schuman talks about the subject with MEP Lina Gálvez (Spain/S&D), who presides over the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, aka FEMM.

We also offer a quick look at the agenda today, with von der Leyen’s trip to Kyiv taking centre stage and particular paradoxes plaguing new Commissioner portfolios.

On a different note, we end the show with an overview of the strongest passports in the world: how are Europeans performing?

Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.