New EU Commission
Proposed Commission means business but it is not at all clear what kind
European Commission president-elect Juncker today announced the make-up of the College of Commissioners, including their portfolios, for the coming term. Commenting on the announcement Greens/EFA co-presidents Rebecca Harms and Philippe Lamberts said:
"It is clear from the proposals presented by Jean Claude Juncker today that this is a Commission that means business but it is not at all clear what kind. The new proposed structure could enable a more coherent and political Commission but as it stands this structure and how it has been assembled lacks clarity.
"It is regrettable that in some cases national and party interests seem once again to have been more important than competence. A prime example is the decision to propose Lord Hill as commissioner in charge of financial services and the banking union. This poacher-turned-gamekeeper approach is clearly not what is needed in the sensitive area of financial services and it is a provocation to put him in charge of the EU's banking union. We also have doubts about the suitability of Tibor Navracsics as commissioner in charge of citizenship, which also seems to be a provocation.
"Our group has already expressed concern about the proposal to merge the energy and climate change portfolios, which we fear is a further downgrading of the EU's commitment to climate action at a crucial juncture. The same is true of the proposal to merge the fisheries and environment portfolios: this cannot lead to a dilution of the EU's commitment to either of these key areas.
"The proposed commissioners must now be fully scrutinised and vetted by the European Parliament through its hearings over the coming weeks and MEPs must not be afraid to say no to problematic or inappropriate candidates.
"The fact there are only nine female commissioners is a major source of disappointment and will mean that, despite championing gender equality across Europe, the EU Commission itself will make no progress from its past term. Our group will work to ensure rules are put in place so that, in the future, governments will be obliged to propose a male and a female candidate for the European Commission."
To follow more detailed analysis from our group on the candidates, the European Parliament hearings and the appointment process, follow our new blog at http://www.greens-efa.eu/commission-test-12691.html - This blog will be updated over the coming weeks, particularly during the 'hot phase' of the commissioner hearings in the European Parliament, starting on 29 September.
