commission, said the body “decided to take a little more time so that
   it can reach an ambitious consensus” and that it would next meet on
   Nov. 14 to discuss the legislation.

   Under one possible compromise, the commission could agree to modify the
   measure by letting national governments determine whether any sanctions
   should apply to companies and organizations that failed to take steps
   like introducing transparent selection criteria to give more
   consideration to women.

   Ms. Reding had intended penalties like fines or the blocking of
   appointments if a board tilted too heavily toward one gender. The
   legislation had been written so that corporate boards that did not
--
   including Malta, the Czech Republic, Latvia and Bulgaria, shared this
   position.

   In another case focused on gender equality, Herman Van Rompuy, the
   president of the European Council, told the European Parliament on
   Tuesday that the appointment of Yves Mersch to the executive board of
   the European Central Bank should proceed.

   The Parliament’s influential economic and monetary affairs committee
   voted to reject the appointment of Mr. Mersch on Monday night on the
   ground that it would keep the executive board as an all-male preserve.
   The full Parliament will vote Thursday on the appointment.