Wed Sep 18 02:01:00 UTC 2024: ## European Parliament Ready to Grill Commission Nominees, Several at Risk

The European Parliament is preparing to scrutinize the 26 commissioners nominated by Ursula von der Leyen for the new European Commission, with several candidates facing potential rejection. This follows a tradition since 2004, where at least one nominee has been rejected in every new Commission.

This year, the most likely candidates to face the axe include:

* **Oliver Várhelyi** (Hungary): The Hungarian nominee for the neighborhood and enlargement portfolio is facing scrutiny due to his past comments and stance on rule of law concerns.
* **Nataša Kos** (Slovenia): Kos, a last-minute nominee, is facing questions about her competence and previous allegations of mismanagement. Her links to a prominent lobbying firm are also under investigation.
* **Hadja Lahbib** (Belgium): The Belgian foreign minister will likely face tough questioning regarding her past, including a trip to Crimea funded by Russia and her handling of visas for Iranian officials.
* **Ekaterina Zaharieva** (Bulgaria): The former foreign minister is being investigated due to her involvement in a citizenship sale scandal in 2018, which she denies.
* **Jonathan Micallef** (Malta): The young candidate’s lack of experience, particularly compared to previous occupants of the job, could raise concerns about his suitability.

While the Parliament aims for a quick confirmation process, the potential rejection of these nominees could spark a political battle with rival parties targeting each other’s candidates.

The scrutiny of these nominees reflects the increasing power of the European Parliament in shaping the Commission. The appointment of these individuals will have a significant impact on the EU’s future policy directions, particularly in areas like nuclear energy, green initiatives, and international relations.

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