Landing a plum role as a Commissioner is no picnic. They must first pass oral examinations with MEPs. First up on the chopping block is Karel de Gucht for development and humanitarian aid.

Europarl Today: Wannabe Commissioners get grilled

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/15216808/P001-90902-002-EN.srt

To become a European Commissioner,   you must first get the MEPs' approval.

three nominated Commissioners   had to make a presentation:

Polish Paweł Samecki,   Lithuanian Algirdas Semeta

The latter was chosen   for Development and Humanitarian Aid.

Mr De Gucht is today   a mere formality for you?

MEPs asked this former Belgian Foreign   Affairs Minister on his experience

and on the European Commission   priorities.

I am convinced that by helping partner   countries to face the crisis,

'What you don't do out of solidarity,   do it for your own interest'.

From climate change to relations between   China and developing countries,

The only thing to deplore   is the very short time for answers.

But I didn't always agree with his   answers.

Should the 3 candidates be confirmed,   MEPs still have other hearings.

the whole of the new Commission   will be put to the test.