Groupe de l'Alliance progressiste des Socialistes & Démocrates au Parlement Européen

S&D Délégation socialiste française

Martin Schulz Président du Parlement Européen Bâtiment PHS - 9 B11

Gianni Pittella Président du Groupe S&D Bâtiment ATR - 05 K002

Brussels, December 7th

Dear Martin, Dear Gianni,

We read in the last outcome of the last CoP, that “leaders agreed that Commissioner Oettinger must receive the exact same treatment as other Commissioners that changed portfolios”, implying that “Commissioner Oettinger would have to appear before the competent committees, i.e. BUDG, CONT and JURI”.

The exercise, nevertheless, “will not be considered a proper hearing, as would be in the case of a Commissioner-designate, regardless of the title (exchange of views or hearing). Once completed, the committees will draft a letter to the Conference, expressing their views on the Commissioner’s performance”.

Last but not least, the minutes of the meeting state that: “The procedure in the committees will not be followed by a vote in plenary”. This choice seems to be inspired by the model set last summer when Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis took over direct responsibility on financial stability and financial services that he was already overlooking as Vice-President in charge of the euro and social dialogue.

We do think that the case of Commissioner Oettinger is different. And we feel forced to express strong reservations about the deal reached last week by political groups in CoP.

First, in the event of a change in the composition of the College of Commissioners or a substantial portfolio change during its term of office, it is stated in the Rules of Procedure (Guidelines for the approval of the Commission, ANNEX XVI, 1) c.) “The [committee] Chair shall put the decisions to the vote by secret ballot as a last resort”, (...) “if the coordinators are unable to reach a consensus on the evaluation, or at the request of one political group”.

Délégation Socialiste Française au Parlement européen: ■ 47-53, rue Wiertz ■ ASP14G358 ■ B.1047 Bruxelles ■ tél +32.2.284.47.09 ■ fax +32.2.284.69.80 ■ Allée du Printemps■ WIC-MO5074■ F.67000 Strasbourg■ tél +33.3.88.17.36.29■ fax +33.3.88.17.94.82 ■ 288 boulevard St Germain ■ F.75007 ■ tél +33.1.47.05.26.63 ■ fax +33.1.47.53.05.17 Email : s-d.delegationfr @europarl.europa.eu

As far as the plenary session is concerned, ANNEX XVI, point 2. is rather clear to us: “when the vote in plenary concerns the appointment of a single Commissioner, the vote shall be by secret ballot”. We would indeed like to remind you that it happened before, back in 2008, with the current wording of ANNEX XVI already applicable, when MEP’s voted in plenary for the change of portfolio for Commission Vice-President Jacques Barrot, who was taking over responsibility for Freedom, security and justice, by 489 votes in favour, 52 against and 19 abstentions.

We think that, from a legal and political point of view, the hearing of Commissioner followed by a vote is fully justified.

European Commissioner Günther Oettinger allegedly travelled to Budapest at the invitation of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on the private plane of a pro-Russia German businessman and he has stirred controversy in recent weeks with provocative statements about women, gay marriage and Chinese people.

In this period, when confidence in European political process is weakening, we should not let people think that prerogatives of the are undermined. In this specific context, it is even more inappropriate to apply a derogation procedure.

Looking to hearing from you,

Best regards,

Pervenche BERES Nessa CHILDERS Mady DELVAUX Ramon JAUREGUI ATONDO Jeppe KOFOD Boguslaw LIBERADZKI Soraya POST Istvan UJHELYI

Tanja FAJON Enrique GUERRERO SALOM Peter NIEDERMÜLLER Maria Joao RODRIGUES Isabelle THOMAS Josef WEINDENHOLZER