Though the votes are not in, the opinions certainly are. MEP Joseph Daul (EPP) attacked the manner in which Bulgarian candiate Rumiana Jeleva's hearing played out. However, MEP Martin Schulz (S&D) praised the performances of socialist candidates Ashton an

Commissioner hearings: farce or fair?

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/13805430/N001-100121-001-EN.srt

The assessment was a positive for the   hearings of 26 European Commissioners.

The only shadow cast   was the withdrawal

of the Bulgarian candidate   Rumiana Jeleva,

former Commissioner-designate   for Humanitarian Aid.

She will be replaced by   fellow countryman

Kristalina Georgieva,   vice-president of the World Bank.

She will have her hearing on   February 3rd in Brussels.

at the methods used   to oust the first Bulgarian candidate.

Personal defamation was used   and that’s what I’m fighting.

Other Commissioners-designate   failed to fully convince all the MEPs.

Dutch Neelie Kroes had to repass   a mini-hearing behind closed doors.

All candidates were subjected to   written evaluations

Most of them passed their hearings   with flying colours.

For example Cathy Ashton   or on the other hand Joaquín Almunia

also Michel Barnier made   very good performances

and I am looking with   a certain kind of optimism

that there is a change   in this Commission

in relation to   the politics of Charlie McCreevy.

The result is that the inaugural vote   of this Commission

will be held on February 9th during   the Strasbourg plenary.

It will only be after   the final green light from MEPs

that the college of Commissioners   will finally be able to get to work.

All in all, MEPs will have spent   a hundred or so hours on the hearings.

Thousands of civil servants   will have worked non-stop

to bring to a successful conclusion   this rather unique exercise.