Seven new commissioners approved – Ready to take office in December

On Wednesday, the European Parliament agreed to approve all seven pending European Commissioner candidates, according to Politico, citing four MEPs and political officials.

The decision ends a weeks-long deadlock between the EU political groups regarding the composition of the next Commission under Ursula von der Leyen.

In particular, the decision on these seven was pending due to disputes between the European People’s Party and the Socialists and Democrats.

The deadlock, as noted by Politico, had delayed the process of vetting six executive vice-presidents (Kaja Kallas, Rafaela Fito, Roxana Minzatu, Stefan Sezourne, Teresa Ribera, and Henna Virkunen) as well as the Hungarian commissioner for Health, Oliver Varhelyi.

The Socialists were unhappy that the right-wing candidate from Italy, Raffaele Fito, was given a senior role, while the EPP MEPs questioned the suitability of Spain’s candidate, Teresa Ribera.

The hearings for the commissioners, including that of the Greek Transport Commissioner, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, took place between November 4 and 12. Unless there are unforeseen developments, the new commission will assume office in early December.

The post Seven new commissioners approved – Ready to take office in December appeared first on ProtoThema English.