Unveiling of new European Commission delayed for a week
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The unveiling of the new European Commission has been delayed for a week with sources saying it is because there is a delay in identifying the Slovenian commission candidate.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has postponed a meeting with European Parliament leaders — due to take place tomorrow — until next Tuesday.
She had been due to outline the portfolios to be assigned to each individual Commission candidate at the meeting.
A spokesperson for the European Parliament confirmed the deferral. “Parliament stands ready to open the confirmation hearings process,” the spokesperson said.
European Parliament sources indicated that the delay is due to a change in the Slovenian commissioner candidate.
Marta Kos, the new Slovenian candidate, was confirmed on Monday after Tomaz Vesel withdrew his name from consideration last week. Ms Kos will not be formally nominated until Friday, following a hearing of the Slovenian Parliament’s EU affairs committee.
However, sources within the European Parliament have criticised the decision to postpone the assignment of portfolios.
Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher said that he was disappointed with the delay.
“Many people, MEPs and the nominees themselves, have been waiting for this announcement for weeks,” Mr Kelleher said.
In particular, concerns have been raised about the potential impact the delays could have on the day-to-day workings of the parliament, leaving less time for the confirmation hearings and votes to take place.
Multiple sources indicated that the delay to the assignment of portfolios could leave the final plenary vote on the overall college of commissioners until late November or early December.
A total of 27 Commissioners will need to go through individual hearings by committees within the parliament, with a possibility that multiple candidates could be rejected by MEPs.
It comes as there is renewed speculation about the potential portfolio that former finance minister Michael McGrath will be appointed to by Ms von der Leyen.
In recent days, Government sources have said that they are “hopeful” he could receive a finance portfolio.
One source said there is a “small chance” Mr McGrath could retain the financial stability, financial services and capital markets portfolio — held by Mairead McGuinness.
He was interviewed by Ms von der Leyen in late August, which Mr McGrath described as being a positive meeting.