Tag: Hearings

Maroš Šefčovič, Slovakia's commissioner-designate, has won backing from Roma organisations in his country following attacks led by centre-right MEPs who accused him of "anti-Gypsyism".

French Commissioner Jacques Barrot has been given the green light by the European Parliament's legal service. The socialist group had made their acceptance of Barrot conditional on its opinion.

The European Parliament wants guarantees that it will have the power to sack any commissioner that loses its confidence during the mandate of the Barroso commission.

The major political groups in the EP have signalled that they can accept the Barroso Commission's new line-up.

With the new Commission no longer to take office from 1 November, the EU has entered uncharted territory. While Barroso has indicated he wants changes only for 'problematic' commissioners, the precise nature of the reshuffle remains unclear. 

The Buttiglione crisis has deepened with MEPs unconvinced by the conciliation offer from President Barroso. Apologies from the Italian commissioner designate for offences made about homosexual 'sinners' have got him nowhere.    

The pressure is still very much on Commission President Barroso to find a compromise in the Buttiglione affair. After consulting several EP group leaders the hunt is on to identify the political 'small change' that will satisfy MEPs without offending Rome too much.   

Socialist MEPs have presented Commission president Barroso with a stiff challenge - to resolve the Buttiglione crisis by 21 October. EurActiv outlines the stakes and positions, and the results of all the commissioner hearings.

Commission President Barroso has been hit by the first real political crisis with the Parliament civil liberties committee's narrow rejection of Italian Commissioner designate Rocco Buttiglione.

Most political parties and commentators have pointed to Dimas's lack of experience on environmental issues. Pro-business circles were the only ones to welcome his performance at a hearing in Parliament.