The European Parliament has agreed to approve all seven pending European commissioner candidates, ending weeks of deadlock between EU political factions over the composition of the next Commission. This is reported by Politico citing four sources.
For more than a week, the fate of these seven candidates has been delayed by political wrangling between the main political rivals, the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) and the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), following the November 4-12 hearings. .
The deadlock halted the examination process of six executive vice-presidents (Kaya Kalas, Raffaele Fito, Roxana Minzatou, Stéphane Cezournet, Teresa Ribera and Hena Virkunen) and the Hungarian, Oliver Varchelli.
The S&D were unhappy that Italy’s right-wing candidate Fitto was given a senior role, while EPP lawmakers questioned the suitability of Spain’s choice, Ribera.
Next week, the agreement is expected to be sealed during the Plenary Session and the Commission with its new composition will assume its duties from December 1.
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In steering the EU towards a more sustainable future. Economic recovery will also be at the forefront, as the commissioners need to implement policies that foster growth and support member states in rebuilding their economies while ensuring social equity. The success of these initiatives will largely depend on the collaboration and effectiveness of the newly appointed commissioners.
Interview with Guest 1:
Q1. As the European Parliament’s Editorial Manager, how do you assess the importance of the recent agreement to approve all seven pending European commissioner candidates? What impact do you think it will have on the European Union as a whole?
Guest 1: The approval of all seven pending European commissioner candidates is crucial for the functioning of the European Union. It’s a significant step towards forming a new Commission that will chart the course for the next five years. This agreement shows that even after weeks of deadlock, the political factions were able to come together, demonstrating their commitment to finding a common ground and putting aside their differences for the greater good of the Union. It sends a positive message about the resilience and cohesion of the European political system.
Q2. The media reported that the main point of contention was the suitability of certain candidates, particularly Italy’s right-wing candidate Fitto and Spain’s choice Ribera. Do you think these concerns were justified? How did the political wrangling between the two factions affect the selection process?
Guest 1: The selection process should always prioritize the competence and qualifications of the candidates. While political considerations are also important, they cannot be the sole criterion for appointing commissioners. In this case, both Fitto and Ribera have demonstrated their capabilities during the hearings, and their appointments were justified. However, the political wrangling between EPP and S&D delayed the process, which was unfortunate because it undermined the credibility of the Commission and sent a negative message to the public.
Q3. The new Commission is expected to assume its duties from December 1. What role will the newly appointed commissioners play in addressing the challenges facing the European Union, such as the ongoing pandemic, climate change, and economic recovery?
Guest 1: The new Commission will have a significant role in addressing these challenges. The ongoing pandemic has highlighted the need for a united and strategic response from the EU, and the new commissioners must work together to coordinate a comprehensive recovery plan. Climate change is another important issue that demands immediate action, and the European Green Deal, one of the key initiatives of the new Commission, will play a crucial role
