Luxembourg, 13/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - The oral defences of the parties in the European Commission/Edith Cresson affair will be heard on 9 November before the judges of the European Court of Justice meeting in plenary. France has been authorised to intervene for the former European Commissioner. The Commission calls on the Court to take a decision against Edith Cresson ordering the forfeiture in part or in whole of Ms Cresson's pension rights and/or any other benefits linked to those rights or standing in their stead. The Commission leaves it to the discretion of the Court to determine the duration and extent of that forfeiture. Accusations against Ms Cresson are well-known. The Commission accuses Edith Cresson of being guilty of favouritism for the benefit of two personal friends during the time she served as Commissioner. Such acts are contrary to the general interest and do not comply with the obligations upon her under Article 213 of the EC Treaty (which makes it a duty for Commissioners to be honest).
The Court sits as a full Court - a quorum of 115 judges - in very exceptional cases exhaustively provided for by the Treaty (for instance, where it must compulsorily retire the European Ombudsman or a Member of the European Commission who has failed to fulfil his obligations) and where the Court considers that a case is of exceptional importance, it is explained on the Court of Justice website.