Brussels – The EU Parliament has put in black and white who and when will scrutinise the European commissioners-designate. The auditions at the relevant parliamentary committees will take place from November 4 to 12. With this timetable, Ursula von der Leyen’s new College aims to take office on December 1 after being vetted by the European Parliament during its plenary session at the end of November.
The Conference of Presidents (CoP), the body that brings together the leaders of the political groups and the President of the Parliament, Roberta Metsola, was asked to choose between two different timetable options proposed by the office of Bern Lange, chair of the Conference of Committee Chairmen (CCC). Between October 14 and 18, at the rate of four-six hearings per day, or between November 4 and 12. Group leaders opted without much discussion to take time for in-depth scrutiny with less tight ranks.
Only the European People’s Party insisted on rapid hearings in mid-October. Group leader Manfred Weber, on the sidelines of the meeting, expressed regret that the faster procedure had not been chosen. “From our point of view, it could have been a good prospect,” he said, pointing out that the adopted timetable collides with the week of the US elections, “diverting attention” from the European Parliament.
The EPP, which has as many as 14 commissioners in the next College, has no interest in prolonging the procedures. “But the majority has been clear, and that is why we did not split it today,” Weber closed.
Parliament leaders would seem to be leaning toward getting the ball rolling with the hearings of the simple commissioners, leaving the six executive vice presidents for last. But, as Bernd Lange explained on the sidelines of the Conference of Presidents, the order will be decided by the CCC on Tuesday, October 8, and then finally approved by the CoP on Thursday, October 10.
The common questions the parliamentary committees will ask all candidates were also approved, and the relevant committees for each candidate were established. Raffaele Fitto is left, as in the initial proposal, with the Committee on Regional Affairs (REGI). But members of the Transport (TRAN), Budget (BUDG), Agriculture (AGRI), Fisheries (PECH), Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), and Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON committees will also be able to attend his hearing and ask questions.
Nicola Procaccini, co-chair of the European Conservatives and Reformists, rejoiced at the confirmation that, for the hearing of Christophe Hansen, the Commissioner-designate for Agriculture, only the Agri Committee will be competent. As requested by the EPP, the Environment Committee (ENVI) will not be able to vote; it will only ask questions of the nominee.
