The Barroso II Commission had to gain approval from the European Parliament before it took office for a term of office running until 31 October 2014.

The team of European Commissioners - proposed by its President designate - 'shall be subject as a body to a vote of approval by the European Parliament'. Before taking this vote, European Parliament committees conduct hearings with the proposed Commissioners in accordance with Parliament's internal Rules of Procedure.

Commissioners-designate appeared in individual hearings before Parliamentary committees from 11-19 January. The vote of consent on the new Commission as a whole took place on 26 January.