Connect with us

EU

MEPs back Labour proposals for stronger Commissioner confirmation hearings

SHARE:

Published

11 years ago

on

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Richard_CorbettThe European Parliament voted on 8 September for a more rigorous process of confirmation hearings for commissioners, giving MEPs more power to cross-examine nominees.

The proposals from the European Parliament constitutional affairs committee, in a report authored by Labour MEP Richard Corbett (pictured), include allowing follow-up questions in the event of non-answers; second hearings in case the answers received first time around are unsatisfactory; and putting a deadline on national governments to propose their candidates.

The report also calls for improved gender balance in the Commission, by requiring each candidate to put forward two candidates - one male and one female - for the President of the European Commission to choose from.

Richard Corbett MEP, Labour's European spokesperson on constitutional affairs, said: "These proposals give more power to MEPs to scrutinise and thoroughly examine the suitability of candidates to be Commissioner. The onus is now on Member States to put forward a stronger, more representative set of nominees.

"Westminster can learn from the Commissioner hearings process. For all the talk of 'unelected Brussels bureaucrats', the process for appointing Commissioners is far more rigorous than that for appointing ministers."

Share this article:

Share this:
Related Topics:
EU Reporter publishes articles from a variety of outside sources which express a wide range of viewpoints. The positions taken in these articles are not necessarily those of EU Reporter. Please see EU Reporter’s full Terms and Conditions of publication for more information EU Reporter embraces artificial intelligence as a tool to enhance journalistic quality, efficiency, and accessibility, while maintaining strict human editorial oversight, ethical standards, and transparency in all AI-assisted content. Please see EU Reporter’s full A.I. Policy for more information.
Advertisement

Trending