European commissioners are set to undergo rigorous hearings in Brussels starting Monday, as the European Parliament evaluates Ursula von der Leyen’s new team. With critical questioning sessions ending November 12, candidates like Christophe Hansen and Raffaele Fitto will face MEPs before a decisive vote on November 27. This process emphasizes the balance of power within European institutions, amid scrutiny of right-wing affiliations and the impact on future policies, particularly regarding ecological and energy issues.
European Commissioners Undergo Grilling Hearings
As the European Parliament gears up for a critical series of hearings, Ursula von der Leyen’s new team of European commissioners is set to face intense scrutiny starting Monday in Brussels. This pivotal event precedes a decisive vote scheduled for November 27, where the fate of these candidates will be determined.
The hearings kick off at 2:30 PM (1:30 PM GMT), with four initial candidates, including Luxembourg’s Christophe Hansen, who is nominated for the Agriculture portfolio, stepping into the spotlight. The rigorous “grand oral” sessions will run until November 12, culminating in the hearings of six vice-presidents of the future European executive, featuring prominent figures like Frenchman Stéphane Séjourné and Italian Raffaele Fitto, whose ties to the far-right party Fratelli d’Italia have sparked controversy.
Power Dynamics and Challenges Ahead
This grilling represents a rare chance for Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to assert their influence over a Commission that often operates with considerable autonomy, a situation that has frustrated various deputies. Each commissioner, representing their respective member states, will face an extensive three-hour questioning session that will ultimately determine their candidacy’s acceptance or rejection. Notably, in 2019, three candidates, including the centrist Sylvie Goulard from France, were turned down, marking a significant setback for President Emmanuel Macron.
The final vote on the new team is set to take place during a plenary session in Strasbourg on November 27, with the European executive expected to officially commence its duties in early December, serving until 2029. This process highlights the intricate balance of power among European institutions, member states, and the political factions within Parliament. The rise of the right-wing faction following the recent elections has placed the PPE in a favorable position, controlling around fifteen out of twenty-seven portfolios.
The French socialist delegation expressed disappointment regarding the right-wing orientation of the new Commission. In contrast, Dutch MEP Bas Eickhout, co-chair of the Green group, speculates that fear among the different factions may lead to a consensus that avoids significant changes to the proposed commissioners.
Candidates have spent weeks preparing for these hearings, engaging in extensive meetings with MEPs and familiarizing themselves with a comprehensive “briefing book” detailing their portfolios and the Commission’s ambitions.
Amidst the tension, outgoing Environment Commissioner and newly elected Green MEP, Lithuanian Virginijus Sinkevičius, reminisces about his own hearing experience five years ago, where he navigated a blend of nervousness and adrenaline while striving to stay true to his beliefs.
Candidates like Hungarian Olivér Várhelyi, who previously caused a stir by inadvertently insulting MEPs during a video call, are under considerable scrutiny. His close ties to Viktor Orban and a modest portfolio on health and animal welfare make his hearing particularly noteworthy.
Italian Raffaele Fitto, nominated for a vice-presidency focused on territorial cohesion, has proactively sought to mitigate concerns regarding his association with Giorgia Meloni’s far-right party. In advance of his hearing on November 12, he emphasized his long-standing commitment to the European project and the principles of the rule of law, asserting that his political journey began within a party that championed European values.
As the hearings approach, both the right and far-right factions are eyeing Spanish socialist Teresa Ribera, responsible for ecological transition, and Danish Dan Jorgensen, in charge of energy, scrutinizing their stances on various issues, including nuclear energy. The outcome of these hearings will shape the trajectory of the upcoming European Commission and its policies for the years to come.