First of all : Mr. Fix It.

Maroš Šefčovič, member of the European Commission since 2009, will be the first Ursula von der Leyen’s choices for her second term face a grilling from European lawmakers.

Von der Leyen hired the 58-year-old Slovakian for the post of trade commissioner, while retaining his current role as eyes and ears responsible for relations between European institutions.

It’s going to be hard work: Von der Leyen has devalued the EU’s traditional pursuit of free trade agreements focus on policies which, in an increasingly hostile world, would transform Europe into a fortress. And she wants to integrate issues such as trade defense and a new economic security strategy into a new economic foreign policy.

We’ll bring you all the action live from 2:30 p.m. CET on November 4.

Background reading:

PS. If you want to follow more of the action from the hearings, our journalists will bring you detailed updates from the 26 interviews with the commissioner here.

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