Science: The two women tapped to head the European Union's efforts on science and climate over the next 5 years have a lot in common.
Both were elected to parliament in their mid-20s—one in Denmark and the other in Ireland—but left politics later on. Both wrote for national newspapers and had stints in television broadcasting. Both are described as strong-willed and smart.
The difference is that one is virtually unknown to scientists and science policymakers, and the other is almost an international celebrity.
Danish energy and climate minister Connie Hedegaard was nominated to become the first European commissioner for climate action.
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, the proposed new commissioner for research and innovation, has spent the past 9 years examining the EU's finances as the Irish representative of the less-than-glamorous Court of Auditors in Luxembourg.
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