Von der Leyen urges October hearings for EU commissioner candidates

Ursula von der Leyen has urged the European Parliament to schedule hearings for new commissioner candidates in October, despite ongoing political turmoil in Slovenia that is delaying the nomination of its candidate, Marta Kos. The current College of Commissioners' mandate ends in October, and there are concerns that the start date for the new European Commission could be pushed back to December 1. Von der Leyen insists that the new Commission should commence on November 1 to ensure the EU is prepared to engage with the incoming U.S. administration post-elections. The European Parliament has been preparing for the hearings, which are essential for the approval of the new commissioners. However, there is a growing consensus to hold these hearings between November 4 and 12, which would allow the new Commission to take office on December 1. This timeline is seen as more feasible given the current political situation in Slovenia. Eric Mamer, the chief spokesperson for the Commission, confirmed that they have communicated the intention for hearings to occur in October. Meanwhile, a Parliament official emphasized that the scheduling of these hearings is ultimately the responsibility of the Parliament, and they are committed to fulfilling their scrutiny role thoroughly. As von der Leyen prepares to present her new team to senior MEPs, the uncertainty surrounding Slovenia's nomination complicates the process. The situation remains fluid, and the outcome of these discussions will significantly impact the EU's operational readiness in the coming months.