Confirmation hearings and voting in the new Commission: what is the European Parliament’s role? - CEPS

Confirmation hearings and voting in the new Commission: what is the European Parliament’s role? - CEPS

The European Parliament (EP) has significantly increased its role in appointing the European Commission over the last few decades. Through multiple treaty revisions, the EP has gained the power to formally elect the Commission President and approve the College of Commissioners as a whole. To be able to vote for the President has also enabled the EP to influence the Commission’s policy agenda.

The vote on the College has enabled the EP to organise confirmation hearings for Commissioners-designate. First introduced in 1994, they have now become a common political practice. These hearings scrutinise candidates’ competence, their European commitment and their independence. (...)