The appointment procedure and key dates

 
 

Procedure

According to Articles 214 and 215 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, the Members of the Commission are subject as a body to a vote of approval by the European Parliament at the beginning of their term of office. In the event of a Member's resignation, the vacant seat shall be filled for the remainder of the term by a new Member appointed by the Council, acting by a qualified majority.

Where it becomes necessary to arrange for the replacement of a Member of the Commission during his or her term of office, the Framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the European Commission stipulates that the President of the Commission shall immediately contact the President of Parliament in order to reach an agreement on the manner in which the President of the Commission intends to ensure the presentation of the future Member before Parliament without delay and in full compliance with the prerogatives of the Institutions. It also states that Parliament shall ensure that its procedures are conducted with the utmost dispatch, in order to enable the President of the Commission to be informed of Parliament’s position in due time before the Member is called upon to exercise duties as the Commission’s representative.

The practice and methodology of the hearings have recently been consolidated in a modification to Parliament's Rules of Procedure on the basis of the Duff report of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, which was adopted in plenary on 8 July 2008. Rule 99 "Election of the Commission" provides for the organisation of hearings, including the filling of a vacancy in the course of a Commission's mandate. The new Annex XVI b lays down "Guidelines for the approval of the Commission" which clarify and harmonise the principles, criteria and arrangements for approving Members of the European Commission.

Key dates

03 October 2008
Letter from President Barroso informing President Pöttering of the designation of Baroness Ashton as Member of the European Commission responsible for Trade as a replacement for Mr Peter Mandelson
10 October 2008
Approval by the Conference of Presidents of the arrangements for the hearing of Baroness Ashton
17 October 2008

Deadline for receipt of Baroness Ashton's replies to the written questionnaires

20 October 2008,
18.00 - 21.00

Hearing before the Committee on International Trade (INTA).
The Committees on Development (DEVE) and on Foreign Affairs (AFET) also participate.

21 October 2008
Examination of the results of the hearing by the Conference of Presidents
22 October 2008
Vote in Plenary.

Baroness Ashton's mandate will expire at the end of October 2009 at the same time as the Commissioners already in office.