Parliament to thoroughly control the nomination of Commissioners

12.28.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 8th Jul 2008

The European Parliament has today adopted a report by Andrew Duff (LibDem, UK) modifying its internal rules with regard to the procedure of approval of the European Commission. By this move, Parliament has taken a step forward in this crucial question for EU democracy. The report tightens and codifies presently applied empiric practices, mainly those that became obvious in 2004 when Mr Barroso's Commission was designated. Consequently, future Commission candidates will have to prove their European commitment and their independence. They will have to communicate their financial interests beforehand; at present, this obligation is complied with a posteriori. Should there be any doubts about an applicant's integrity, from the side of the committee(s) responsible of the respective audit(s), a vote could be organised to possibly refuse the candidate. The new internal rules also foresee that Parliament, via its elected President, will be able to pronounce itself on the distribution of the portfolios.

"It is possible that the designation of the next Commission falls under the Nice Treaty provisions, and not under those of the Lisbon Treaty", Andrew Duff, ALDE Constitutional Affairs Coordinator commented. "It's a pity for European democracy since the Council will feel less obliged to the outcome of the European elections. However, our citizens should at least know that their MEPs commit themselves to work out who is the best person for a post, or not nominate a person at all in case Member States stubbornly consider Brussels to be a place where to recycle incompetent or clearly eurosceptic politicians whose careers have been interrupted at home. The European Commission is neither a nursing home nor a recycling factory", Mr Duff added.