Brussels, 26/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 26 June, the European Parliament said that it planned to hold four hearings during its second plenary session in July in order to approve, according to the procedure, the candidates who will temporarily replace the European commissioners starting as MEPs at the European Parliament on 1 July. According to the Parliament's spokesperson, Jaume Duch, four of the current commissioners have stated that they will be taking up posts as MEPs on 1 July - Olli Rehn from Finland (economic and monetary affairs), Antonio Tajani from Italy (industry and entrepreneurship), Janusz Lewandowski from Poland (financial programming and budget) and Viviane Reding from Luxembourg (justice, fundamental rights and citizenship).
Only Rehn has officially told European Commission President José Manuel Barroso of his departure from the Commission. Nevertheless, Barroso thanked the departing four commissioners on Twitter on Wednesday. He also announced that he had given the portfolio for economic and monetary affairs to the temporary candidate named by the Finnish government - Finland's former prime minister, Jyrki Katainen.
Poland has decided to send its deputy minister for finance, Jacek Dominik, to stand in after Lewandowski's departure for the Parliament. Italy has thus far remained silent on the name of the person it will send to Brussels until the next Commission is formed. Reding is reported not yet to have taken her decision, waiting for the outcome of the European Council - which in principle is due to nominate Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the Commission (a choice which will have to be confirmed by the Parliament).
In Luxembourg, no name was said to be doing the rounds for the temporary post of commissioner. The Grand Duchy could theoretically decide not to send anyone. A commissioner who is already in place - probably Johannes Hahn - could then take on Reding's portfolio until the new Commission is in place. Luxembourg is nevertheless waiting for Reding's decision in order to make its decision.
The commissioner for institutional affairs, Maros Sefcovic from Slovakia, the commissioner for consumer policy, Neven Mimica from Croatia, and the commissioner for trade, Karel De Gucht from Belgium, have all decided not to take up their seat at the European Parliament. In early June, Sefcovic was appointed by the Slovak government as its candidate for a portfolio in the next Commission. Mimica will probably also be the choice of Croatia.
On Thursday, the Parliament stated that the hearings of the temporary commissioners would take place between 14-17 July. Until then, some commissioners still in their posts will have to ensure the continued work of the Commission. For example, the commissioner for transport, Siim Kallas, could temporarily take on Rehn's work until the Parliament approves the appointment of Katainen. (EL)