MNI BRIEF: Senior Brussels Offi'l -EC Start Depends EP Hearing
MNI (BRUSSELS) - Both the European Commission and European Parliament share the view that the incoming Commission should start work as soon as possible, but the timing hinges on how smoothly the EP’s hearings with the 26 nominees go, a Brussels official said Wednesday.
“A November 1st start but it depends on how the hearings go,” the official said, but accepted the Parliament should have as much time as needed to carry out all necessary scrutiny of the nominees.
Reports have suggested that the EP could reject up to three of the nominees named by President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday, although others suggest that the EP’s political groups may be reluctant to do so, fearing that their own candidates could be rejected in retaliation. The official said that the commissioners designate would begin preparing for the hearings in a meeting with the Commission chief later Wednesday.