THE NEW EUROPEAN COMMISSION - WHAT HAPPENS NXXT?
THE NEW EUROPEAN COMMISSION – WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The new European Commission is taking shape, following last week’s announcement of the full line-up of new Commissioners and their portfolios. President-elect Ursula von der Leyen has achieved the gender parity she sought, with 13 of the 27 Commission posts taken by women. The portfolios have been carefully allocated, taking into account the previous experience of the nominees, as well as the size and relative influence of each Member State. The Commissioners-designate will now be vetted by the European Parliament Committees before a plenary vote on the full college of Commissioners next month. The hearings are an opportunity for MEPs to win political points and media attention. Given the frustration over the rejection of the Spitzenkandidat process, we can expect the Parliament to assert itself during the vetting process through threatening to withhold its approval from poorly performing nominees. As von der Leyen will be eager to ensure a straightforward vote in plenary, she is likely to listen seriously to the Parliament’s concerns. Below we set out what to expect from the hearing process and key dates ahead of the new Commission taking office on 1 November.
TIMELINE: 30 SEPT - 8 OCT 19 SEPTEMBER Decision on which Committee will interrogate each nominee; Committees issue written questions to Commissioners-designate.
Hearings of Commissioners-designate. October 2: Didier Reynders (Justice) and Sylvie Goulard (Internal Market); October 3: Margaritis Schinas (VP European way of life); October 8: Margrethe Vestager (VP – tech and digital), Valdis Dombrovskis (VP – financial services)
23 OCTOBER
1 NOVEMBER
European Parliament plenary vote on the full College of Commissioners.
New Commission takes office.
X SEPTEMBER
26 SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
31 OCTOBER
DECEMBER
Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee examines the financial declarations of each Commissioner-designate to ensure no conflict of interests.
The Commissioners-designate provide answers to written questions.
The Parliament’s Conference of Presidents discusses the Committees’ recommendations. Commissionersdesignate may be requested to attend a second hearing on 14/15 October.
UK expected to withdraw from the EU.
Expected publication of European Commission 2020 work programme
19 September 2019
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THE NEW EUROPEAN COMMISSION - WHAT HAPPENS NXXT?
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE HEARINGS? •
Each nominee attends a single three-hour public hearing with the Committee (or Committees) most relevant to their portfolio. Each political group is allocated a specific amount of time according to its relative size.
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Nominees face questions on their general competence and commitment to the EU, as well as specific questions on the issues within their portfolio and legislative priorities.
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Each Committee makes a decision on the nominee they have heard. Once all nominees are approved, the full college faces a final vote in plenary. A simple majority empowers the European Council to formally appoint the new Commission.
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If a Committee is not satisfied with the answers given during a hearing, MEPs can request further information through written questions and a second hearing. This is not unusual: in 2014, the UK’s nominee was subject to a second hearing while Slovenian candidate Alenka Bratušek was rejected due to her inexperience. President von der Leyen will be keen to avoid a difficult plenary vote, so is likely to listen seriously to MEPs’ concerns at the hearing stage.
ONES TO WATCH Which hearings will be the most important to follow? Below we have selected our top 5 ‘ones to watch’
NAME
OUR ANALYSIS
Margrethe Vestager (Renew Europe, DK) Executive Vice-President: Europe fit for the digital age
Vestager’s portfolio has increased significantly, giving her the role of coordinating the agenda on a ‘Europe that is fit for the digital age’ and retaining her role as Commissioner for Competition. As Executive VP, Vestager will have a team of 10 policy advisers and DG Competition at her disposal. She will co-lead the work on a new strategy for Europe’s industrial future, a new SME strategy and a European approach on artificial intelligence. In addition, she has been given responsibility for the new Digital Services Act and for coordinating the EU’s work on digital taxation. A popular and experienced policymaker, she is expected to perform well during her hearing.
Valdis Dombrovskis (European People’s Party, LV) Executive Vice-President: An economy that works for people
Promoting Dombrovskis to Vice-President can largely be seen as an endorsement of his previous work in the area: completing the Banking Union, and speeding up the work on the Capital Markets Union. He has been tasked with developing a green financing strategy, a new FinTech Strategy and a comprehensive approach to fighting money laundering, with further support from DG FISMA showing the Commission’s increased attention in this area. Dombrovskis knows his portfolio well and is expected to perform well during his hearing.
19 September 2019
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THE NEW EUROPEAN COMMISSION - WHAT HAPPENS NXXT?
NAME
OUR ANALYSIS Margaritis Schinas (European People’s Party, GR) Executive Vice-President: Protecting our European way of life
A respected and experienced EU figure, Schinas’ appointment met with criticism due to a backlash against his portfolio title. While Schinas is likely to perform well in the hearing, he can expect to face calls from MEPs for the portfolio name to be changed.
Sylvie Goulard (Renew Europe, FR) Internal Market
The Internal Market portfolio gives Goulard responsibility for the Single Market, as well as the digital economy and the defence industry. She will have significant influence on tech policy, including leading on a coordinated approach on AI and the expected Digital Services Act. Given the extent of her role she is expected to have 14 cabinet members and will be supported by DG Connect, DG Grow (internal market) as well as a new DG on Defence Industry and Space. She may face difficult questions during her hearing due to an ongoing investigation over alleged misuse of EU funds during her time as an MEP.
Phil Hogan (European People’s Party, IE) Trade
Irishman Phil Hogan has been named the EU’s new trade commissioner, meaning he will be the EU’s chief trade negotiator, if, and when, free trade negotiations commence between the EU and the UK after Brexit. A critic of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, he can expect tough questions on his approach to negotiations with the UK.
GET IN TOUCH... If you would like more information or to find out more about how Cicero can support your organisation and its public affairs objectives in 2019, please do get in touch with Helena Walsh: Helena Walsh, Managing Director - EU Public Affairs BXL: +32 (0)2 612 8152 Helena.Walsh@cicero-group.com
19 September 2019
Kate Foster, Account Manager BXL: +32 (0)2 612 8161 Kate.Foster@cicero-group.com
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