We will also closely follow, on the same day, the examination of the new head of diplomacy, Kaja Kallas – the former Estonian Prime Minister leaves with the advantage of having already been previously chosen by the heads of state and of Union government. The hearing of the Austrian conservative Magnus Brunner, in charge of Migration, on November 5 will also not lack interest.
Here is the cast of the von der Leyen II Commission (before the ordeal of the parliamentary hearings)
Embarrassing questions for the Belgian candidate?
The name of the Belgian liberal Hadja Lahbib is often cited when we talk about the candidates whose position is the most fragile. Surprise candidate nominated by Belgium, at the instigation of the president of the MR, Georges-Louis Bouchez, who preferred her to the outgoing commissioner Didier Reynders, Ms. Lahbib can expect to have to answer embarrassing questions. In particular on his role in issuing visas to an Iranian delegation last June, in his capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs. It is also likely that the former RTBF journalist will be questioned about the trip made in 2021 to annexed Crimea, on a Russian visa.
More generally, Hadja Lahbib – who will be heard on November 6 by deputies from the Development committees; of the Environment; of Civil Liberties and Women’s Rights and Gender Equality – will have a lot to do to remove doubts as to the fact that she is the right person to hold the portfolio of Crisis Preparedness and Management as well as that of Equality. According to various sources, the Belgian was very intensively prepared for the parliamentary review by her provisional cabinet.
Hadja Lahbib, kindness before competence
The Hungarian Varhelyi has everything to displease the deputies
The Hungarian Oliver Varhelyi designated commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare appears to be a designated victim. Close to the illiberal Prime Minister Orban, related to the far-right Patriots for Europe group, the outgoing Enlargement Commissioner has everything to displease the European MEPs, whom he had publicly qualified “d’idiots” during the previous legislature. Yes, but: is there not a risk that if his candidate fails, Viktor Orban will take his time to appoint a replacement, delaying the Commission’s entry into office? A scenario feared by some, but disbelieved by others.
Appointed in place of Tomaz Vesel, at the insistence of President von der Leyen, who called for a candidate in Ljubljana, the Slovenian Marta Kos (Enlargement) will have to explain her past as a lobbyist. She will also undoubtedly be questioned about her resignation from the post of ambassador of her country to Germany and Switzerland against a backdrop of mismanagement. The Maltese Glenn Micallef (Intergenerational Equity, Youth, Culture and Sport), former chief of staff of socialist Prime Minister Abela, appears to be one of the weakest links in the von der Leyen II team.
Commissioner-designate for Cohesion and Reforms, Raffaele Fitto will, barring any surprises, be part of the next Commission. The outstanding question is whether progressive groups will tolerate the Italian, sent to Brussels by post-fascist Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, retaining the rank of vice president. And how far they would be willing to go to win their case.
The European Parliament will subject the designated commissioners to the perilous test of the grand oral
