The government’s last-minute proposal of Marta Kos comes after Tomaz Vesel, Slovenia’s first choice to become commissioner, withdrew his candidature on Friday amid reports that von der Leyen had urged Slovenia to put forward a woman as a candidate.

“I believe Marta Kos is a very good candidate with all the competences needed,” deputy prime minister Matej Arcon told journalists, calling her an experienced diplomat who had served as ambassador to Germany and Switzerland.

Slovenian media reported that during a visit to the country last week, von der Leyen had pressed Prime Minister Robert Golob to put forward a woman in order to ensure an equal number of men and women in the new Commission.

Kos, a 59-year-old communication expert and former journalist, was the presidential candidate of the governing Freedom Movement party (GS) in the 2022 elections but quit the race and the party after alleged disagreements with Golob.

Before the nomination of Kos is officially sent to Brussels, she must go through a hearing with the parliamentary foreign affairs committee this week, but its decision is not binding for the government.