The European Parliament is currently holding hearings for the new batch of Commissioners nominated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The 26 Commissioners-designate have already answered written questions from Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in an effort to convince them of their expertise, commitment to Europe, and integrity. Each Commissioner-designate will have a three-hour hearing to present their program to the committee, after which the committee chairmen and group chairmen will decide whether to accept or reject the candidate. If a Commissioner-designate is rejected, their portfolio can be adjusted, or another nominee from the same country must be proposed, restarting the process.
In 2019, Hungarian László Trócsányi and Romanian Rovana Plumb were both rejected as Commissioner candidates, along with France’s Sylvie Goulard due to concerns about her integrity and independence. This year, candidates such as Raffaele Fitto from Italy and Olivér Várhelyi from Hungary face tough scrutiny. Fitto, a member of Meloni’s far-right party in Italy, has faced criticism for his party affiliation, while Várhelyi, backed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, had a disappointing performance during his last mandate. The political groups in the European Parliament carefully calculate their questions during the hearings to avoid being reciprocated and to support their own candidates.
The political process of the Commissioner hearings is highly strategic, with various parties taking into account the potential repercussions of rejecting candidates from other parties. The Green and Left parties, who have no candidates in the running, are poised to ask the toughest questions during the hearings. Ultimately, if the candidates pass the test, the new Commission must receive approval from the European Parliament’s plenary session before being appointed by the European Council. The process of selecting and approving Commissioners is crucial for ensuring the efficient functioning and legitimacy of the European Commission.
Overall, the hearings for the new batch of Commissioners are a critical step in the process of appointing key figures to the European Commission. Candidates must demonstrate their expertise, commitment to Europe, and integrity in order to secure approval from the European Parliament. The rejection of candidates can result in adjustments to their portfolios or the nomination of new candidates from the same country. The political calculations and strategic considerations during the hearings highlight the importance of collaboration and support among different political groups in the European Parliament. Ultimately, the approval of the new Commission by the European Parliament’s plenary session and the European Council is essential for ensuring a functioning and legitimate European Commission.
