MEPs set out timeline for commissioner approval

15 Sep 14
Nominated commissioners face a thorough scrutiny by MEPs at the end of this month before the new European Commission can start its five-year term, it has been announced today.

By Judith Ugwumadu | 15 September 2014

Nominated commissioners face a thorough scrutiny by MEPs at the end of this month before the new European Commission can start its five-year term, it has been announced today.

The European Parliament said today confirmed that, from September 29, the new executive team expected to ‘put the European Union back on a growth track’, would have to appear in front of parliamentary committees dealing with their proposed responsibilities.

Setting out its timeline, the European Parliament noted that before the hearings each candidate is expected to respond to their nomination in writing by September 26 and will be required to answer five questions.

These hearings are expected to last till October 7 and will affect the Parliament’s vote on whether to approve the new commission. They will then meet again on October 9 to evaluate the hearings.

‘The idea behind the hearings is to assess the expertise and competence of each candidate,’ said the European Parliament.

‘Although MEPs can only vote on the commission as a whole, Parliament’s concerns about candidate commissioners have in the past led to candidacies being withdrawn or portfolios being reassigned.’

By October 22, MEPs will vote on whether or not to approve the full commission and unless MEPs vote in favour, the commission will not be able to take office. But if it is supported by the Parliament the commission will begin work on November 1.

 

 

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