Big names call for gender equality in EU politics

High-profile politicians, including European Commission vice-president Jyrki Katainen, have signed a call for gender equality at the top level of the EU institutions.

A group of about 70 people, mainly politicians, signed the Balanced Europe declaration, which was published on the website of the Jaques Delors Institute think tank on 22 May.

The declaration says that there should be as many female as male presidents of the EU institutions. It does not specify exactly which institutions are being referred to, but the intention almost certainly goes beyond the European Parliament, European Council and Commission to include organisations such as the European Central Bank.