EVALUATION PROCEDURE OF COMMISSIONERS-DESIGNATE

The Council appoints the 27 Commissioners-designate in agreement with the elected Commission President. Each Commissioner, one from each EU country, is assigned responsibility for a specific policy area by the Commission President. The Commission as a whole is subject to the European Parliament's approval.

Each candidate is assessed by the EP Committees that deal with his/her portfolio. Before the three-hour web streamed hearing takes place in front of the responsible EP Committees, the candidate makes an opening speech of maximum 15 minutes and should then answer questions. The responsible Committee has to finalise its evaluation within 24 hours following the hearing. It can ask for further information in writing. A separate evaluation report for each Commissioner-designate is sent to the Conference of Committee Chairs and to the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament which, unless it decides to seek further information and following an exchange of views, declares the hearings closed. The European Commission is able to commence its five-year term after having been approved by the Parliament and appointed by the Council.

Evaluation criteria

Parliament evaluates the Commissioners-designate on the basis of their general competence, European commitment and personal independence. It also assesses their knowledge of the prospective portfolio and their communication skills. Parliament takes particular account of the need for gender balance. It may express views on the allocation of portfolios proposed by the President-elect.

General Competence, European Commitment and Personal Independence

1.     What aspects of your personal qualifications and experience are particularly relevant for becoming Commissioner and promoting the European general interest, particularly in the area you would be responsible for? What motivates you? What guarantees of independence are you able to give the European Parliament, and how would you make sure that any past, current or future activities you carry out could not cast doubt on the performance of your duties within the Commission?

Management of the Portfolio and Cooperation with the European Parliament and its Committees

2.     How would you assess your role as a Member of the College of Commissioners? In what respect would you consider yourself responsible and accountable to the Parliament for your actions and for those of your departments?

3.     What specific commitments are you prepared to make in terms of enhanced transparency, increased cooperation and effective follow-up to Parliament’s positions and requests for legislative initiatives ? In relation to planned initiatives or ongoing procedures, are you ready to provide Parliament with information and documents on an equal footing with the Council?

Policy-related Questions

4.     What are the three main priorities you intend to pursue as part of your proposed portfolio, taking into account, where relevant, the financial and social crisis and concerns related to sustainable development?

5.     What are the specific legislative and non-legislative initiatives you intend to put forward, and according to what time table? What specific commitments can you make regarding in particular the Committee’s priorities and requests attached hereto, which would fall within your portfolio? How would you personally ensure the good quality of legislative proposals.

Step by step Process

Parliament’s approval procedure is laid down in Annex XVII to its Rules of Procedure and consists of the following steps:

1. Parliament receives the Commissioner-designates’ curriculum vitae and their declarations of financial interests.
2. Parliament puts to the Commissioners-designate a series of written questions dealing mainly with the candidates’ policy priorities in their respective fields of responsibility. The candidates’ written replies provide the basis for the oral stage – the hearings.
3. Each Commissioner-designate is invited to a three-hour public hearing with the parliamentary Committee(s) responsible for the portfolio concerned. These hearings enable the Committees to get to know the personalities of the Commissioners-designate and have a detailed exchange of views with the various candidates on their priorities in their prospective areas of responsibility.
4. The Committees then evaluate each of the Commissioners-designate. They check that the Commissioners-designate have the skills required not only to be Members of the Commission in general, but also to be in charge of a particular portfolio.
5. The results of the hearings are sent to the President of Parliament and considered by the Conference of Presidents, comprising the President and all political group leaders, and by the Conference of Committee Chairs.
6. The Commission President presents the College of Commissioners-designate and their programme to a plenary sitting of Parliament which the Council of the EU is invited to attend. This presentation is followed by a debate.
7. Lastly, Parliament votes on approval of the whole European Commission as a body. The new Commission can then be formally appointed by the European Council, acting by a qualified majority.

Documents

• CVs of the Commissioners-designate
• Declaration of interests
• Mission statements from President of the European Commission
• Written questions to the Commissioners-designate
• Written replies by the Commissioners-designate
• Opening oral statements by the Commissioners-delegate
• Verbatim reports of the hearings
• Evaluation letters by the parliamentary Committees
• Official letters between the EU institutions
• Plenary vote