About: Hearings
A short guide to the Commissioner hearings
The members of the Von der Leyen Commissioner will be grilled by the European Parliament in a series of hearings aimed at evaluating whether they are fit for the job. These are the key elements.
Replacement commissioners sail through Parliament hearings
The candidates to replace the four commissioners who took their seats as MEPs passed through hearings in the European Parliament yesterday (14 July). The Parliament is due to vote on their appointments on Thursday.Commissioner-designate: ‘I gave general answers to general questions’
At his hearing at the European Parliament, Hungarian Commissioner-designate László Andor was criticised for providing "too general" answers. But many of the questions themselves were also too general, Andor told EURACTIV Hungary in an interview.Roma defend EU nominee against ‘anti-Gypsyism’ claims
Maroš Šef?ovi?, 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".Andor: ‘I tried to give the best possible answers’
At his hearing at the European Parliament, Hungarian Commissioner-designate László Andor was criticised for providing "too general" answers. But many of the questions themselves were also too general, Andor told EURACTIV Hungary in an interview.Barrot cleared by Parliament’s legal service
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.
Barroso gets go ahead from EP
The European Parliament on 18 November gave its vote of approval to the new line-up of the Barroso Commission.
Barroso must make further concessions to get approval
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.
New Barroso line-up under Parliament scrutiny
All major political groups have suggested they could back President Barroso's three replacement Commissioners during Parliament hearings on 15 and 16 November.
New Barroso line-up looks set for green light
The major political groups in the EP have signalled that they can accept the Barroso Commission's new line-up.Barroso in renewed search for ‘the right stuff’
After the resignation of Rocco Buttiglione on 29 October, the question now is how far Commission President Barroso will need to go in the announced reshuffle of his team to get approval from the EP.
Barroso aims for new Commission line-up in less than a month
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.EPP group hit hard by Commission withdrawal
The EPP-ED group, the biggest parliamentary group with 268 seats, refused to negotiate a Commission reshuffle and pledged its support to Buttiglione until the end. For this group, Barroso's decision is a major setback.No absolution for Buttiglione
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.Socialist MEPs toughen stance on Buttiglione
The 200-strong EP Socialist group insist on no less than a complete change of portfolio for the controversial Italian commissioner Buttiglione. Meanwhile Barroso remains "optimistic" that a solution will be found.
Barroso in hectic hunt for compromise
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.Buttiglione claims he is victim of ‘hate campaign’
The beleaguered Italian commissioner designate Rocco Buttiglione has hit back at MEPs, claiming that he is a victim of an anti-Christian "inquisition".Buttiglione crisis: six days to find a solution
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.
Looming crisis over the new Commission
The rejections of commissioner designates Rocco Buttiglione and László Kovács are embarrassing blows for incoming Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, who has been asked to reshuffle his team.
EP committee rejects Buttiglione
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.