Reaching a two-thirds majority could be complicated: In many committees, reaching two-thirds will require votes in favor from Greens, Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the liberals of Renew Europe, the center-right European People’s Party (EPP) and the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).
If the lawmakers cannot reach a two-thirds majority to approve or reject a candidate in the first round, they can send additional questions or summon the nominee. Political group leaders will need to green-light any extra sessions.
The process remains confidential until all 26 hearings are over, but rest assured, we will report on it all the way!
Who to watch
Fitto’s title problem
No candidate has divided the Parliament’s political families as much as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s pick for commissioner.
Raffaele Fitto, set be the executive vice president for cohesion and reforms, is facing fury from the S&D, Renew Europe, the Greens and The Left. They’re furious such a role will go to someone from the right-wing ECR group and they are demanding he be demoted to a “regular” commissioner. S&D went as far as to threaten to withdraw support from von der Leyen’s college.
On the other side, the center-right EPP is protecting Fitto, treating him as one of their own.