The 26 candidates from their Member States will have to prove that they have the necessary qualifications and political profile to take on the portfolios entrusted to them by President Ursula Von der Leyen (which were already approved by the European Parliament last July ).

EU DECODED explains the process, the political “games” and recalls what happens when certain candidates are rejected. This happened to three nominees in 2019, and to several others in the past!

“I think it’s a very important process because, ultimately, the commissioners are elected indirectly, they don’t go through a popular vote. I think going through the European Parliament is the essence of democracy in Europe “, said one of the citizens interviewed by Euronews.

So, what “tests” will they have to pass? The first stage took place within the parliamentary committee on legal affairs, which analyzed the submitted declarations regarding possible financial and professional conflicts of interest. From November 4, hearings of legislators from European Parliament committees will take place, depending on the policy area(s) in which the commissioner will work.

“The hearing begins with a 15-minute presentation by the Commissioner on his priorities, followed by a question and answer session with MEPs – from the largest to the smallest political groups – and ends with final statements from the Commissioner-designate , “explains Romane Armangau, journalist at Euronews.

EP “exercising their muscles”

Around half – 15 commissioners – come from the center-right EPP party, five from the Socialists and Democrats and five others from the liberal Renew Europe party. On the right, there is a member of the Patriots for Europe and a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists. Is this a party cadre that lends itself to certain power games?

“I think it is important to know that the European Parliament is trying to ‘flex its muscles’, because this is the time when it has the most power over the European Commission. There is a growing climate of ‘so for tac “between the different political parties in this process,” explained Sophia Russack, an analyst at the Center for European Political Studies.

What happens if some candidates do not pass the screening process? In some Member States the head of state or government quickly appoints another person, in other countries the process is more complex as it requires approval from other institutions. The aim is to have the European Commission up and running by December 1, but first it must pass this crucial test.

Journalist: Isabel Marques da Silva

Produced by: Pilar Montero López

Video production: Zacharia Vigneron

Editorial coordination: Ana Lázaro Bosch and Jeremy Fleming-Jones