The study, based on a comprehensive dataset covering 90 positions across 73 entities within EU bodies, points to three key conclusions.
It highlights the enduring dominance of Western and Southern Europe in top EU appointments since the bloc's 2004 enlargement, the exceptional position of Northern Europe in relation to its population, and the persistent underrepresentation of Central and Eastern Europe.
According to the Geographical Representation in EU Leadership Observatory 2024 report, not one individual from the CEE region was appointed to a leadership role in 2023.
As Central European countries approach 20 years of EU membership, they face diminishing representation, with a report published on Monday by the European Democracy Consulting revealing a stark decline in their presence at the expense of Western Europe's increasing dominance.
CEE citizens make up only 4-5 percent of the managerial staff in the EU, and in 2023, they were not nominated for any positions, according to the study.
In contrast, Western Europe alone secured 73 percent of the nominations in that year. Southern and Western Europe collectively occupy 83 percent of high-ranking positions in the EU, including 89 percent of the most prominent and influential roles, the PAP news agency reported.
According to the authors, these findings are particularly pertinent given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which predominantly affects frontline EU states such as Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia.
These countries are advocating for a greater role in EU decision-making, driven by increasing scepticism towards Brussels, likely to be reflected in the upcoming European Parliament elections on June 6-9.
As the findings may contribute to further distrust of Brussels, the authors urged the EU to take decisive action to not allow the issue to be exploited by Eurosceptic movements.
CEE's influence has notably diminished in recent years, particularly in 2021 to 2023, according to PAP.
Previously, from 2014 to 2019, Poland's Donald Tusk held the position of president of the European Council, followed by his tenure until 2022 as president of the European People's Party.
Poland's Jerzy Buzek served as president of the European Parliament from 2009 to 2012.
CEE 'underrepresented' in key NATO, EU, UN roles: Polish FM
The insufficient representation of CEE was highlighted by Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski during last week's NATO meeting in Brussels.
When queried about Poland's stance on supporting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte's candidacy for the next NATO chief, Sikorski responded somewhat evasively that the CEE region is underrepresented in leadership structures within both NATO and the European Union, as well as the United Nations.
"There was a discussion in which I supported the voice of one of my colleagues that our region is underrepresented in the command and leadership structures, and not only in the North Atlantic Alliance, but also in the European Union and the United Nations," Sikorski said at the time.
"We will work vigorously so that more Poles, more people from our region hold leadership positions in these three areas," he added.
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Source: PAP