Parliamentary committee clears way for new EU Commission

The new European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, is likely to start work on December 1.

Delegates to a European Parliament committee have approved proposals to fill the top political post in Brussels. Leaders of the European Parliament's main political groups had previously agreed to the appointment.

A final vote in the plenary session of parliament is still pending, but approval is considered likely. Part of the current compromise is also a written agreement by the centre-right coalition European People's Party (EPP), which also includes Germany's CDU and CSU, the Socialists and Social Democrats (S&D) and the liberal Renewal group.

Guidelines documented in writing

A document nearly two pages long lays out guidelines for cooperation. Among others, the rule of law, support for Ukraine and a pro-European orientation are core aspects.

The powerful European Commission is the EU's only body that proposes laws for countries and monitors compliance with EU law. EU countries are allowed to nominate at least one candidate to restructure authorities in Brussels. German Commission President von der Leyen was re-elected to head the Brussels authority in July and introduced her planning team for a second term in September.

occupation dispute

Over the past few weeks, responsible committees of the European Parliament have heard hearings of designated members. Resistance emerged during questioning of the six vice-president-elects.

There is particular controversy over the candidacy of Raffaele Fitto, the Italian commissioner. A politician from Italy's right-wing Brotherhood of Italy party will be appointed as one of the European Commission vice-presidents for the first time. He will likely become Commissioner for Cohesion and Reform and will therefore be responsible for, among other things, the European Social Fund and the Regional Development Fund. The S&D Group, however, does not want a right-wing politician to gain the prominent position of vice president.

The center-right European People's Party coalition initially refused to confirm socialist Teresa Ribera, currently Spain's environment minister, as its candidate. As Vice-President, the Socialist will be responsible for competition policy and the green transition. Spain's conservative and right-wing MPs accused her of failing to warn people in time of severe flooding in the Valencia region in October.

Changes in the Hungarian Commissioner

There is also controversy regarding Hungarian Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi. He has long been criticized for his loyalty to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The compromise now stipulates that some of the responsibilities he originally planned should be taken over by other commissioners. CDU MEP Peter Liese said that, among other things, epidemic control powers would be transferred to Belgian commissioner candidate Hadja Lahbib.

By the evening, there was already strong criticism within the Green Party over the Social Democrats agreeing to the compromise. Greens MP Daniel Freund said: “The Social Democrats are breaking a core campaign promise: they are making common cause with their anti-European enemies and post-fascists and want to elect politicians from Hungary and Italy. candidate.” His party colleague Michael Bloss said the Social Democrats' approval was “undignified”. (Sudanese Development Authority/Department of Political Affairs)

The war in Ukraine is now entering its third year. What has not changed in more than 1,000 days of war is Russia's threatening posture. During this time, many of the Kremlin's declared red lines have been crossed, but a threatening nuclear strike has so far not occurred.