Hungary’s Laszlo Kovacs, Italy’s Franco Frattini and Latvia’s Andris Piebalgs were interviewed on Monday and yesterday.
Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso had to change his proposed team after it became clear that MEPs would reject his original line-up. A vote on the reshuffled commission is due to take place tomorrow.
Mr Frattini, who is to take up the justice and home affairs portfolio, was questioned by MEPs for three hours on Monday. He refused to condemn the views of his predecessor Rocco Buttiglione, which had in part led to the reshuffle.
He steered clear of any controversial comments that might rock the boat before MEPs vote on the entire Commission.
Although most of the questions focussed on the details of the immigration policy, several MEPs did try and draw him out on his views on anti-discrimination – particularly, gender and sexual orientation.
It was on such issues that comments by the first Italian nominee, Rocco Buttiglione, caused a furore to the extent that the new Commission team had to be re-shuffled. This, subsequently, led to a delay.
Mr Frattini, an experienced politician, would only repeat that he is now there “as a representative of Europe” and is bound by the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
He gave a similar answer to several questions concerning legislation in Italy which restricts media pluralism – laws passed while he was in government.
“I will be defending the interests of Europe,” said Mr Frattini adding that it would not be up to him as a Commissioner to defend the laws of one country.
Questions had also been raised over the original choice of Mr Kovacs for the energy portfolio after his disappointing performance in the first nomination hearing.
However, he is said to have redeemed himself on sitting for the taxation and customs job in the reshuffled commission.
He is in favour of fiscal competition and against a French proposal to cut aid to new EU member states who attract investors with lower corporate tax rates. He said companies did not move from one country to another for that reason alone.
“Fiscal competition is not damaging as such,” he added.
He also defended having been a member of the Communist Party before 1989, which has drawn criticism from some parts of the EU.
He denied claims that he had been part of the workers’ militia or of having had relations with the secret services.
“In my background, there is nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of,” he said. Some analysts say Mr Kovacs came across as better prepared than for the energy portfolio hearing before the reshuffle.
Mr Piebalgs is said to have had no problem convincing the Industry, Research and Energy Committee of his capabilities to act as energy commissioner.
The head of the European People’s Party, Hans Gert Poettering, said: “I’m going to recommend to my group that we give very solid support to the commission on Thursday, and I have no doubt that the great majority of my group will follow that recommendation.”