By Bruno Waterfield - 16th November 2004
MEPs are set to exact new concessions from José Manuel Barroso in return for backing his delayed and reshuffled European Commission.
The European Parliament has signalled support for a new look EU executive after opposition three weeks ago forced Barroso to re-think his team.
But backing for the new line-up – minus the controversial Rocco Buttiglione and the poorly regarded Ingrida Udre – will come at a price.
Leader of the parliament’s centre-right EPP Han Gert Poettering, the largest political bloc of MEPs, is pushing Barroso for more.
Poettering is discussing a draft resolution aimed at boosting parliament’s scrutiny of the commission with Green, Socialist and left-wing MEPs.
Key demands will be that Barroso act quickly on any ‘conflicts of interest’ within his commission if highlighted by the parliament.
The caveat is aimed at competition commissioner-designate Neelie Kroes – the Dutch candidate has come under fire for her extensive business past which could rule her out of many Brussels decisions.
More controversial – and bringing parliament into a new territory – will be the request that Barroso “thinks seriously about dismissing” a commissioner if MEPs withdraw confidence.
Any changes to Barroso’s commission, through resignation, should trigger new parliament hearings.
Also on the MEP wish-list will be compulsory attendance for the collective EU executive at parliament sessions, and mandatory appearances of individual commissioners before committees.
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