WORLD WORLDWIDE EU EUROPE - euobeserver - Inside the Commissioner hearings next week - 1 November 2024

 

Next week, MEPs will question commissioner-designates. The first week of November is going to be a big one for global democracy. Voters in the U.S. choose between leaders who represent starkly different views on democracy as we know it – with potentially tremendous repercussions for the EU. On our side of the Atlantic, MEPs will have the chance to question candidates put forward by member states to join Von Der Leyen’s second commission. How the hearings work The hearings, designed to assess the competence of commissioner-designates, are chaired by the relevant parliamentary committees. After a 15-minute statement, members of these committees will have the chance to grill the hopeful for almost three hours. After the hearings, the committees chair(s) and representatives of political groups convene to whether they deem the commissioner capable, and report their conclusion within 24 hours to the other chairs. On 21 November, evaluation letters of all commissioner-designates will be published, followed by a vote in parliament between 25-28 November to approve the new commission. EUobserver will cover the hearings – live At EUobserver, our mission is to provide you with thorough, unbiased reporting on these significant events. Our journalists will be on the ground, offering real-time updates through our live blogs, in-depth analyses, and expert commentary. Make sure to tune in next week. And do share any tips, quotes or remarks to esn@euobserver.com What to read in the meanwhile Background - Green MEPs urge action on lobbyist meetings by Croatia's top EU official Background - Slovenia's commission pick rejects lobbyist label Investigation - Croatian commissioner's domestic trips under fire, ahead of new Mediterranean post Analysis - The four faces likely to shape EU green policies for the next five years Opinion - Von der Leyen's 'mission letters' let slip deregulation agenda of next commissioners Opinion - The EU's democratic future may rest on two commissioner-designates Opinion - Five questions for the new EU financial services commissioner Background - When and how MEPs will quiz the would-be EU commissioners Background - Von der Leyen's new commissioner team under fresh scrutiny after Breton resignation Infographic - New EU Commission unveiled — and controversial picks will spark MEPs' scrutiny But we also need your support Delivering high-quality, independent journalism requires resources. We rely on the support of readers like you to continue our work. If you value independent media and comprehensive coverage of EU affairs, please consider supporting EUobserver. Your contribution enables us to keep shining a light on the processes that impact all EU citizens. Independent coverage of these hearings is crucial. It ensures that information is not just filtered through official channels but is scrutinised and presented with journalistic integrity. Thank you for your continued support and for being an integral part of our community. Together, we can promote transparency and keep the public informed about the decisions that shape our collective future. See you next week, The EUobserver team Join EUobserver Oh and while we have you here, make sure to check out Andrew Rettman’s investigation into how the Rwandan regime is silencing dissidents abroad – including in Brussels: Handshake of death: EU embrace of Kagame helping silence dissidents in Belgium