Central and Eastern Europe underrepresented in EU institutions

EU member states are not equally represented in the EU institutions. This problem especially affects Central and Eastern Europe. Many Member States are demanding change. However, there are countries like Spain, for example, whose nationals are successful in job competitions.

In the report prepared by the think tank European Democracy Consulting (EDC), "Geographical Representation in EU Leadership Observatory 2021", the countries of Central and Eastern Europe have been under-represented in European institutions since they accessed the EU.

"Western and Southern Europe won 85 percent of new nominations for clerical positions in 2021 and 70 percent in three years 2019-2021. Meanwhile, no Central European citizen has been appointed to a management position in 2021," the study highlighted.

"For years we have been observing a tendency to marginalize our region in the process of nomination to senior positions in the EU," one diplomat from CEE said in an interview with EURACTIV.

According to EURACTIV interlocutor, the lack of equal representation can alienate citizens and undermine the democratic legitimacy of the EU, increasing anti-EU and nationalist sentiment.