On 1 October 2014, Vĕra Jourová, Member designate of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, was heard by the European Parliament to test her general competences, European commitment and specific expertise related to her portfolio. Vĕra Jourová had the opportunity to make an opening statement, she took part in a question and answer session and made a closing statement.Although the Parliament can only vote on the Commission as a whole, a negative assessment of one of the candidates has in the past already led to the candidacy being withdrawn and replaced. Vĕra Jourová, was Czech Minister for Regional Development.

Brussels

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

statement

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

JOUROVÁ, Věra (EC)

Committee on Legal Affairs

hearing

Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality

2014 Commissioners' hearings (T)

hearing of Vĕra JOUROVÁ (T)

Hearing of Vĕra JOUROVÁ (Czech Republic), Commissioner-designate for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality: extracts from the statement by Vera JOUROVÁ

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/12169871/I093053Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

Arrival of Vĕra JOUROV&Aacute;, Commissioner-designate in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Commissioner-designate in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality , "The main European values as shaped by the turbulent, spiritual and political history of Europe, and as adopted by other part of the world are obvious. Respect for the individual and for his freedoms, his right and his dignity, the principle of solidarity, equality before the law and the rule of law, protection of all ethnic minorities, democratic institutions, separation of the legislative, executive and judicial estates, political pluralism, respect for private property and free enterprise, and market economy and the development of civil society. Like so often, Vaclav Havel was well ahead of his time when he made that speech. Our duty and my personal commitment to you is to seek to deliver on those European values and fundamental rights he so well described."

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Commissioner-designate in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality , "Firstly, by making sure that people have more choice. What does that mean in practice? It means having the right to choose where you want live and work in the EU, with full respect for freedom of movement"."

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Commissioner-designate in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality , "Breaking the glass ceiling so that women can choose to be doctors, head teachers; chief executives or politicians on the same basis as men, and earn equal pay. I will defend the women on boards proposal."

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Commissioner-designate in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality , "I intend to protect people's rights. I will help Vice-President TIMMERMANS and provide him my full support in upholding the rule of law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights in seeking to ensure that the necessary checks and balances that are built into our democracies are fully respected, and in ensuring the EU accession to the European Convention on Human Rights will take place as quickly as possible. I want to ensure that the rights of the individual are protected through the swift adoption of a modern data protection reform."

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Commissioner-designate in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality , "I want to put in place a strong, independent and efficient European Public Prosecutor's Office to protect the taxpayer's money against fraud to the EU budget;"

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Commissioner-designate in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality , "I want to build trust across judicial systems in the EU. We should be united in our diversity. But we also need to make sure that our different cultural and legal traditions are not an obstacle to freedom, justice or the Single Market."

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Commissioner-designate in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality , "Eight years ago, I was in a prison cell in the Czech Republic because I became a victim of injustice. This sharp confrontation of me and injustice, shocked me. I couldnt believe it is possible to put somebody to prison without evidence."

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Commissioner-designate in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality , "That is why, now, after years, still this experience is very much inside of me. And when I meet some injustice I am very sensitive about it. "

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Commissioner-designate in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality , "Let's start first of all with achieving together important results that EU citizens are waiting for on four key files: reform of data protection rules, the European Public Prosecutors Office, the Women on boards proposal, the Consumer Product Safety regulation."