A new 28-member European Commission will take over the EU’s executive functions on November 1 after its nominees were officially approved by the European Parliament yesterday.
The Commission, headed by Luxembourg’s former prime minister Jean Claude Juncker, won the majority of votes as the two major political groups, the European People’s Party and the Socialists, came out in support as expected.
All six Maltese MEPs backed their respective groups’ political line and voted in favour of the new commission.
It will include Malta’s former tourism minister Karmenu Vella, who was assigned the Environment, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs portfolio – the most onerous political responsibility ever to be given to a Maltese commissioner.
New President said it was pathetic that he could not have more than nine women on the Commission
Despite misgivings expressed by the environment lobby groups, particularly due to Mr Vella’s lack of experience in the sector and Malta’s negative environmental record, Mr Vella received a positive assessment from political groups following his grilling in Brussels in front of three EP committees.
Mr Vella will now succeed, as Malta representative, European Commissioner Tonio Borg, who joined the Brussels executive midway through its five-year term following the sudden resignation of John Dalli after an investigation by the EU’s anti-fraud office. Addressing the EP before yesterday’s vote, President Juncker said the new commission would be very political.
He defended its new composition by laying stronger emphasis on the role of vice-presidents, each entrusted with leading a group of commissioners.
He said that following the EP hearings, he took on board a number of suggestions and effected various changes to his team.
At the same time he criticised member states for failing to nominate more women as commissioners, saying it was pathetic that he could not have more than nine women on the Commission.
According to EU rules, each member state can nominate a commissioner. However, the commissioners will not represent the interests of their respective countries but are expected to defend the interests of the EU.
The role of the European Commission is to propose and enforce EU laws and to oversee national budgets.