By Brian Johnson - 5th November 2004
The European Parliament’s socialist group have given a cautious welcome to José Manuel Barroso’s proposals to revamp his incoming commission team.
Socialist group leader, Martin Schulz welcomed the steps taken on Barroso’s line-up, but warned that no final decision on the new commission would be taken until after new parliamentary hearings.
“We are not at the end, it’s too early to come to a final conclusion,” said Schulz.
“The [new] hearings are just as important as the first set of hearings.”
But Schulz added that it would be “sensible and necessary” to see a rapid decision on the new commissioners.
“There are already 21 commissioners raring to go. I would like to see [the hearings] happen quickly,” he said.
Hearings for the two new commissioners, Italian, Franco Frattini, Latvian, Andris Piebalgs and for the reshuffled Hungarian candidate, Laszlo Kovacs will take place this month.
And a final vote on whether to accept Barroso’s full line-up is expected to take place during the European Parliament’s Strasbourg plenary session in mid November.
Schulz said he was satisfied with the decision to replace Italian, Rocco Buttiglione and Latvian nominee Ingrida Udre, and accepted that the socialist candidate, László Kovács had to change portfolio responsibilities.
But Schulz was unhappy with the decision not to replace or reshuffle the controversial Dutch commissioner, Neelie Kroes, although he conceded that Barroso had had difficulties with a “not very constructive” Dutch government.
Schulz added that the Socialist group would be monitoring Kroes’ actions with her competition portfolio.
“Mrs Kroes will be kept under observation,” he warned.
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