Ursula von der Leyen has offered perks to member states which nominate women to join her top team at the European Commission.

The Commission president has demanded European capitals help her achieve a gender-balanced team to lead her administration until 2029.

Her previous team of 27 European commissioners was made up of 12 women, including herself. Mrs von der Leyen had promised it would be the first to have gender parity.

Member states have so far named just six women and 16 men ahead of next month’s deadline for nominations.

Mrs von der Leyen has turned to offering smaller member states bigger jobs if they are willing to swap their male candidate for a woman, the Politico news website reported.

She made an approach to Malta to consider swapping its current candidate, Glenn Micallef, in exchange for a high-profile portfolio.

The Commission chief – the first woman to lead the institution – suggested keeping Malta’s existing commissioner, Helena Dalli, for a second term, the Times of Malta reported.

“Von der Leyen is probably promising us a better portfolio if we agree to renominate her,” a diplomat told the publication.

“If that’s the case, the government must decide: stand by our nominee and look strong but get a weaker portfolio. Or swap nominee, look weak but get a stronger brief.”

Ms Dalli had previously served as the EU’s equality commissioner, a low-profile position in Brussels.

“Dalli has had a borderline useless portfolio. She is easy for von der Leyen to control,” the diplomat added. “Having her for a second term would just ensure Malta is effectively irrelevant within the commission.”