The hearings are organized by the Envi-environment committee. The committees on Industry, Foreign Affairs, and Development will also participate in Hoekstra's hearing on October 2, while the committees on Industry, Transport, and Agriculture will join Šefčovič's hearing on October 3.
Christian Democrat Hoekstra has been proposed by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as Commissioner for the climate portfolio. The Dutch politician served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs for the past two years, and before that was Minister of Finance for five years.
Social Democrat Šefčovič, who is currently First Vice-President of the Commission, would take on responsibility for the European Green Deal alongside his current duties in interinstitutional relations and foresight. The reshuffle follows the departure of Frans Timmermans, who is standing as a candidate in the Dutch parliamentary elections scheduled for November.
The appointment of Hoekstra as the new EU Commissioner for Climate Protection has met resistance not only in the Netherlands, where he has not established any green or environmental profile in recent years. In the European Parliament, voices are also raised that, as a former executive at Shell and McKinsey, he was hardly a climate enthusiast.
From written questions submitted in advance, it is clear that especially the Greens, United Left, and the S&D Social Democrats will question Hoekstra extensively, not only on his climate vision but also on biodiversity, global warming, and the reduction of greenhouse gases.
To successfully pass the hearing, Hoekstra will need the support of a two-thirds majority of the organizing Envi committee. If several group leaders abstain from voting, a follow-up hearing could potentially be held.
According to the current schedule, the entire European Parliament will vote on Thursday, October 5 on the appointments and portfolios of Hoekstra and Šefčovič. A simple majority is sufficient for these nominations by von der Leyen. The European Parliament cannot reject a nomination but can only – if necessary – dismiss the entire Commission.