Várhelyi is expected to be grilled by the environment, public health and food safety (ENVI), and agriculture (AGRI) committees, as many MEPs were critical of his past work as commissioner for neighbourhood and enlargement,

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Health team Euractiv 02-10-2024 14:34 2 min. read Content type: News

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Commissioner-designate for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi can expect tough questions from MEPs at his hearing, which is anticipated for November.

Political leaders in the European Parliament will decide today (2 October) on which parliamentary committees will hear which commissioners designate and establish a timetable for the upcoming hearings.

Euractiv sources expect hearings to take place in the week of 4 November. Read more from Euractiv's politics team here.

Várhelyi is expected to be grilled by the environment, public health and food safety (ENVI), and agriculture (AGRI) committees, as many MEPs were critical of his work as commissioner for neighbourhood and enlargement, where he is seen to be closer to Viktor Orbán's views than official EU positions.

He was also caught on a live microphone referring to the MEPs as “idiots” during a debate on the Western Balkans last year.

The women's committee (FEMM), industry and research (ITRE) and sub-committee on public health (SANT) may also be invited to the hearing.

MEPs' questions are expected to range from frustration over cuts in the EU4health programme to how the EU will tackle the "silent epidemic" of antimicrobial resistance. They may also question his knowledge of health and his impartiality.

MEPs have already voiced their concerns over reduced funding for health programmes and will want to know what Várhelyi will do to mitigate any shortfalls.

The health committee will also be following hearings of the executive vice-presidents and commissioners who have a health dimension to their work, including research, preparedness or innovation.

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