MEPs have been assessing Commissioners-designate to ensure their suitability for the job and test their ability to deliver on citizens’s expectations. Stella Kyriakides, Didier Reynders, Helena Dalli and Sylvie Goulard were questioned for the Health, Justice Equality and Internal Market portfolios. After scrutinising individual nominees, Parliament will have the final say on the whole Commission.

European election

EU politics

MEPs question Commissioners-designate for Health, Justice, Equality and Internal Market

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MEPs have questioned commissioners-designates

on Health, Justice, Equality and the Internal Market.

Protection of patients' rights, beating cancer

and a holistic approach to healthcare are the goals

of Stella Kiriakides as Health Commissioner.

Kiriakides comes from Cyprus, where she is an MP

and was previously a clinical psychologist.

The committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

questioned her on the effects of pesticides,

digitalisation of health systems and access to medicine.

"I know first hand the importance of well-functioning health systems

and that the collective health of our societies

depends on the individual health of every single citizen".

Didier Reynders is the nominee for Justice Commissioner.

The law graduate served in the Belgian government for 20 years

in posts including defence, foreign affairs and deputy prime minister.

He was questioned by the committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

MEPs asked him about human rights and holding multinationals to account.

They also pressed him on possible sanctions against Hungary and Poland

and how to ensure member states respect the rule of law.

"Trust me, I will not hesitate to act, when the rule of law is in danger.

I will not compromise when democracy is at stake".

Helena Dalli, from Malta, has been proposed as commissioner-designate for equality.

She has experience working for women's and minorities' rights

The committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality

and the committee on Employment and Social Affairs

quizzed her on reproductive rights, gender identity, equal pay and childcare.

The empowerment of women and persons from minority backgrounds

 Sylvie Goulard is the nominee Internal Market Commissioner.

The deputy director of the Bank of France

has served as an MEP and minister in the French Government.

She was questioned by members of the Committees on Internal Market

and Consumer Protection and on Industry, Research and Energy

along with the Committee on Legal Affairs.

MEPs questions focused on her suitability given an ongoing judicial enquiry

as well as on her plans her for the digital economy,

rules on competition and protectionist measures in certain EU countries.

"In uncertain times, the preservation of our freedoms

depend on our capacity to complete the ecological transition

The vote in Parliament, to decide if the Commission, as a whole,

is accepted or rejected is scheduled for 23 October.