The first president of the European Union and its first high representative for foreign affairs should be women. The three most powerful women working for the European Union have made the call in a letter to the British Financial Times newspaper.

European Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission Margot Wallström and deputy speaker of the European parliament Diana Wallis say the best person for the job is often a woman.

EU government leaders are expected to decide on Thursday who will fill the two new European posts. Nearly all the people being tipped for the job of president are men. They include current Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende.
 

A new European Commission will be inaugurated in a few weeks’ time. It will probably have even fewer women members than the present commission.

photo: Neelie Kroes (flickr/ELDR Party)