European Parliament’s centrist groups cut deal to approve new Commissioners

The coalition deal will allow the new European Commission to take office on 1 December, as originally planned.

Transcript

00:00The main centrist parties of the European Parliament, the European People's Party and

00:05the Social Democrats and Liberals have struck a deal to approve the new members of the European

00:10Commission.

00:12It means the new Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, can take office on 1 December.

00:18The three-party compromise cleared the way for six future vice-presidents of the Commission,

00:23including the Spanish Teresa Ribera, who was criticised by the Conservatives for her management

00:28of the floods in Valencia.

00:30However, the EPP continues to call for her resignation in case she is indicted.

00:36What we as Parliament have to guarantee is that the new Commission is a Commission who

00:42can really deliver, who can really act.

00:45And if you have the possible shadow above you or the possible burden on your shoulder

00:53that you are involved in court cases, for example, at home, it is not so easy to do

00:57then the task on European level.

00:59Alongside the six vice-presidents, Hungary's Oliver Varhey also received the green light.

01:05But not everyone in the European Parliament was pleased with the backroom deals surrounding

01:10the candidates.

01:12So unfortunately the assessment of the most important ones, the six executive vice-presidents,

01:18have become a mockery of a proper assessment.

01:21And that is not good for the European Parliament.

01:24So in that sense we are very disappointed about that process, absolutely.

01:28The three parties have also signed a cooperation agreement for this legislation with key policy

01:33areas, although it is not binding.

01:36The full College of Commissioners will be voted on next Wednesday at the European Parliament

01:40in Strasbourg.