Ready to start a third term with the same enthusiasm as in 2009, Commissioner-designate for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight Maroš Šefčovič, is convinced that the promise of the future von der Leyen Commission to withdraw obsolete legislation with each new legislative proposal (‘one in, one out’) will not result in lowering high European standards in social and environmental matters.
“I will make sure that this new principle is applied in all areas. However, I say a clear ‘No’ to a mechanical approach and to endangering our high social and environmental standards”, said on Monday 30 September at his hearing in the European Parliament.
Responding to Timo Wölken (S&D, Germany), who pointed out that legislative work differs from mathematics, he called for reducing the administrative burden “firmly and intelligently”, ensuring that European legislation remains accessible, especially for SMEs, but more user friendly and adapted to the digital age.
However, the Commissioner-designate did not cite an example of an obsolete legislative act that the Commission would be prepared to delete, as Daniel Freund (Greens/EFA, Germany) asked him to do. He referred to about 100 texts under consideration by the Commission.
In the area of ‘Better Regulation’, the Slovak Social Democrat also proposed to develop the ‘REFIT’ platform to assess and simplify the EU's body of legislation into a modern ‘fit-for-the-future’ platform, capable of interacting with users.
And how can we ensure that the “world of expertise” is not dominated by private interests and States asked Pascal Durand (Renew Europe, France), who supported the creation of “independent European agencies”. Mr Šefčovič called for “rigorous” action to prevent any conflict of interest in the hiring of experts at European level, as well as increased transparency on meeting agendas and decisions taken by experts.
He also announced the establishment, expected in 2020, of a “comitology register” to shed light on the data and studies that form the basis for expert discussions.
Foresight. In his new role, Mr Šefčovič will be responsible for leading a strategic reflection within the Commission on the main trends and developments that will shape the future and on how to respond to them at European level.
“It's not something abstract”, said the candidate. It is not a question of reading tea leaves, but of “making the best use of the available scientific data” to “anticipate” what Europe will be in 2030 and act as best as possible to adapt, he added, in response to a question from Nico Semsrott (Greens/EFA, Germany).
Building on his previous experience as Commissioner for the Energy Union, he cited the example of the European Battery Alliance, which has already enabled Europe to catch up with Asia in the growing market for electric mobility. In response to a question from Iban García del Blanco (S&D, Spain), he also mentioned the importance of “100% European” regulation to support the development of artificial intelligence by ensuring that “humans keep control over the machine”.
A “European network”, which will bring together the institutions of the Member States responsible for foresight, will be set up to work on these societal issues.
Right of initiative of the European Parliament. Several MEPs questioned the Commissioner-designate about granting the European Parliament a right of legislative initiative, a request for an election campaign from the Christian Democratic Group.
Mr Šefčovič based his answers to the written questions on this: the Commission will submit a legislative proposal within three months of a resolution adopted by a majority of MEPs, as promised by the President-elect of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
“This is the start of a new interinstitutional era”, he said, pointing out to Pedro Silva Pereira (S&D, Portugal) that “the Commission still wants to keep its right of initiative”. And the Commissioner-designate also advocates the creation of an “early-warning mechanism to ensure constant dialogue” between the Commission and Parliament before the adoption of these legislative resolutions based on Article 225 of the TFEU.
Manon Aubry (GUE/NGL, France) questioned the candidate on the creation of an “independent authority” to monitor the integrity of candidates for high European office, after the Parliament Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) rejected the candidatures of Romanian Rovana Plumb and Hungarian László Trócsányi (see EUROPE 12338/9).
Noting that the JURI Committee had examined with “great meticulousness” the declarations of financial interests of the Commissioners-designate, Mr Šefčovič welcomed the creation of such an entity, provided for in Mrs von der Leyen's political programme. “This body must employ people of integrity, with an irreproachable past and benefit from administrative support”, he commented. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)