Renew Europe supports the candidature of Maroš Šefčovič as Vice-President of the Commission, responsible for inter-institutional relations and foresight

The joint hearing of Commissioner-designate Maroš Šefčovič by the parliamentary committees for Legal Affairs (JURI) and Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) was judged positively by the Renew Europe group. Following the various questions asked by the coordinators in JURI, Karen MELCHIOR (Denmark), and in AFCO, Pascal Durand (France), and members Liesje SCHREINEMACHER (Netherlands) and Charles GORENS (Luxembourg), Renew Europe considers Mr Šefčovič's commitments to be in line with the group's political expectations.

Karen MELCHIOR, Renew Europe Coordinator in JURI Committee said:

"Renew Europe welcomes Maroš Šefčovič's commitment to publish all expert evidence and impact assessments in the future Common evidence register; deepen the dialogue with EU citizens as part of the legislative process, so the voices of our citizens are heard and felt to be taken seriously in the upcoming legislative term. We welcome Mr Šefčovič's dedication to reinforcing relations with national parliaments to avoid gold plating in the implementation of EU law, which can be a burden for our citizens and businesses, while still maintaining high European standards on health, environment and climate"

Pascal DURAND, Renew Europe coordinator in AFCO Committee, added:

“Commissioner-designate Maroš Šefčovič’s hearing demonstrates his awareness of the need to improve the institutional functioning of the Union, in order to make it more transparent and more democratic. To avoid conflicts of interests, he committed to change the designation rules of EU experts, as well as to better monitor their work”.