MEPs have been assessing commissioners-designate to ensure their suitability for the job and test their ability to deliver on Europeans’ expectations.  Virginijus Sinkevičius, Johannes Hahn, Margaritis Schinas and Dubravka Šuica were questioned for the Environment, Budget, the European Way of Life and Democracy portfolios. After scrutinising individual nominees, Parliament will have the final say on the whole Commission.

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Commissioners-designate: Environment, Budget, the European Way of Life and Democracy quizzed by MEPs

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MEPs have quizzed commissioners-designate

 on the Environment, Budget, the European Way of Life and Democracy.

Virginijus Sinkevičius is commissioner-designate for the Environment and Oceans.

He is the youngest commissioner-designate

 and currently serves as minister for Economy and Innovation in Lithuania.

The Fisheries and Environment committees asked him to outline his plans for fisheries,

air quality standards and his biodiversity action plan.

 would be to make the Green Deal a reality on the ground.

 A deal that works for oceans, for the environment and for our citizens.

Johannes Hahn has been proposed for the Budget and Administration post.

The Austrian has served twice in the European Commission

 and is the outgoing commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement.

The budget is a tool to ensure Europe remains a democratic, peaceful, prosperous and competitive force.

 It's an expression of European solidarity.

Members of the Budget and Budgetary Control committees asked him about the Just Transition Fund,

 the role of the rule of law and how he would work with the Anti-fraud office.

Margaritis Schinas is proposed for the post of Vice-President in charge of Protecting our European Way of Life.

Being European means peace, freedom, equality, democracy, respect for human dignity.

 and was the Chief Commission Spokesman for the last 5 years.

Several MEPs questioned Schinas on the title of this new portfolio

 and his plans on dealing with migration and disparities throughout the EU.

 An MEP, Dubravka Šuica has been nominated Commission Vice-President for Democracy and Demography.

We need to give Europeans a greater voice.

 A chance to regain the ability to shape their community, the society, the Union they live in.

She served as mayor of Dubrovnik and Member of the Parliament in Croatia.

The Constitutional Affairs committee questioned her on multiple topics:

 letting the voices of Europeans be heard, Parliament's role in the discussion and inclusiveness.

The vote in Parliament, to decide if the Commission, as a whole, is accepted or rejected