The European Commissioner-designate for Animal Health and Welfare, Hungary’s Olivér Várhelyi, failed to win the backing of the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Environment Committees to take up the post, following his stormy hearing on Wednesday 6 November (see EUROPE 13519/3).
He will have to answer further questions from MEPs in writing; and on Monday 11 November, the MEPs will decide whether to hold a second hearing.
While the EPP, ECR and Patriots for Europe groups broadly supported the Hungarian candidate, this was not the case for the S&D, Renew Europe, The Left and Greens/EFA groups.
Commissioner-designate Olivér Várhelyi failed to convince MEPs of his personal views on the right to abortion and the inclusion of sexual and reproductive rights in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Some MEPs asked Mr Várhelyi how he would ensure solidarity within the EU, given that during the Covid-19 pandemic the Hungarian government had approved the Russian vaccine Sputnik and the Chinese vaccine, contrary to EU decisions.
A simple majority will be required after a possible second hearing to confirm him in his position. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)