Following a decision by the Conference of Presidents (EP President and political party leaders), hearings of designated commissioners will take place from 4 to 12 November.
As stated European Parliament in his announcement, it was also decided to divide responsibilities among the committees for confirmation hearings. The detailed timetable for the participation of each designated commissioner on the relevant committee will be decided by the Conference of Presidents at its next meeting.
The European Parliament invites designated Commissioners to appear before the relevant committees for hearings to examine whether they are suitable for the positions to which they have been appointed.
Metsola: An important moment for European democracy
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metzola, stated that “the hearings of the designated commissioners are an important moment for European democracy. Members of the European Parliament will thoroughly check the competence, independence and European commitment of each candidate before voting in the Chamber as a whole. Democracy will not make concessions. With a new legislature come new expectations. Citizens rightly want solutions to their concerns. The European Parliament will continue to play its role in ensuring that the European Union delivers.”
The process
Before the hearings, Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee examines the declarations of interests of the designated commissioners. For the designated commissioner to participate in a hearing, there must be no conflicts of interest.
Depending on the portfolio, a given commissioner may be evaluated by a parliamentary committee (responsible committee) or by more than one committee (mixed committees). Other committees may be invited to participate, that is, they may contribute with oral questions, with the final assessment of candidates being the responsibility of the coordinators of the competent committee.
The hearings will be followed by meetings in which the committee chair and group representatives (coordinators) of the various committees will assess whether a designated Commissioner is qualified both to be a member of the Chamber and to carry out the specific tasks assigned to him. assigned.
Once all hearings have been completed, the Conference of Committee Chairs will evaluate the outcome of the confirmation hearings and transmit its findings to the Conference of Chairs. The latter will conduct the final evaluation and decide whether to conclude the hearings.
Election of the Commission in the Plenary
After the conclusion of the hearings, Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen will present the College of Commissioners and its program to the plenary.
Your statement will be followed by a debate and any political group or at least one twentieth of the MEPs (low threshold) can table a motion for a resolution.
The entire Commission requires Parliament’s approval (by a majority of voters, by roll call vote).
Once elected by Parliament, the Commission is formally appointed by the European Council, acting by qualified majority.
Source: AMPE
