abcnews.go.com
EU Top Job Nominees Face Scrutiny
Nominees for top EU positions face parliamentary hearings, with the outcome impacting the next five years of European policy.
English
United States
PoliticsGermany European UnionFranceEuAppointmentsCommissionHearings
European UnionEuropean CommissionEuropean Parliament
Ursula Von Der LeyenGlenn Micallef
- What is the main event described in the article?
- The European Union's top jobs nominees are undergoing parliamentary hearings, where they will be vetted on their suitability for the positions. Lawmakers will assess their competence, commitment to the EU, independence, and communication skills.
- What is the role and power of the European Commission?
- The European Commission is the EU body with the power to draft laws, covering areas from water quality to data protection, and its president, Ursula von der Leyen, assembled the new team in September. The selection process considers political, geographical, and gender balance.
- What is the voting procedure for confirming the nominees?
- Candidates must secure a two-thirds majority vote to be confirmed. If rejected, further questioning or a longer grilling may be requested, and the results of the votes remain secret until the hearing process concludes.
- How many nominees are being considered for the European Commission?
- The hearings will assess 26 new members of the European Commission, with each candidate facing a three-hour grilling by relevant lawmakers. The process aims to ensure the appointees are suitable for overseeing various EU policies.
- Who is Glenn Micallef, and what is his significance in this context?
- Glenn Micallef, the nominee for youth, culture, and sport, is facing scrutiny and is considered a political lightweight compared to other candidates. His confirmation could trigger a chain reaction depending on the outcome and subsequent actions by other political groups.