Text tabled : A7-0029/2012

  Marina Yannakoudakis (ECR). – Madam President, it is a given that we need more women in politics, in fact in all spheres of life. What we do not need is to put them there through non-flexible EU legislation which establishes targets and quotas for women.

Member States need to look at their own political systems and decide how best to support women in these fields. Member States must have the right to decide what is best for their government and how to format their government. Who is in the government is up to the electorate. Candidates must always be selected on merit and the ability to do the job.

This report is patronising to women and it is venturing outside the EU’s jurisdiction.