Incoming European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker is not considering a Plan B in relation to the configuration of the new European Commission, his spokesperson said yesterday, despite continuing resistance from MEPs to a number of nominees.
As the final day of hearings into European commissioner-designates came to a close yesterday in Brussels, there was speculation Mr Juncker may be forced to reshuffle his team. On Monday, MEPs accepted Hungarian nominee Tibor Navracsics but rejected him as Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Citizenship, requesting a portfolio change.
Mr Juncker's spokeswoman said he would not be commenting on any particular candidate, but would be consulting the leaders of the European Parliament. Senior parliamentary figures were meeting yesterday evening to consider the outcome of the hearings.
During his three-hour hearing on Monday, Mr Navracsics, a former justice minister and deputy prime minister in the government of Viktor Orban, moved to assuage concerns over his close connections to the Hungarian prime minister, who has been in conflict with Brussels over rule of law and media ownership issues.
‘Difficult period’
"You know and I know that relations between the EU and Hungary have come through a very difficult period," Mr Nacracsics told MEPs. "We have disagreed on some important questions, but one of the great virtues of the European Union is that it gives us the space to confront our differences and resolve our disputes, openly, democratically and peacefully. Ultimately we are united by the same European vales – human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and the respect of human rights. These are values to which I am deeply and personally committed."
However, MEPs from the culture and education committee rejected him for his nominated portfolio, despite what was seen as a relatively strong performance. According to parliament sources, Mr Nacracsics, a member of the centre-right European People’s Party, could be stripped of responsibility for citizenship, though it is unclear if this compromise will be acceptable to the centre-left Socialists and Democrats group.
Failed to win approval
Meanwhile, British nominee Jonathan Hill appeared before the economic and financial affairs committee for the second time yesterday having been recalled last week, while former French finance minister Pierre Moscovici submitted written answers to additional questions he was given by the committee last week, having failed to win approval on Thursday. A decision on both candidates is likely to be taken today, but a number of MEPs suggested yesterday that a recalibration of their portfolios may be necessary.
The European Parliament is due to vote on the College of Commissioners on October 22nd in Strasbourg, with the incoming commission assuming office on November 1st.
