It might be getting colder outside but it is barbeque season in Brussels, as the Commissioner-designates are being grilled relentlessly by the members of the European Parliament’s 8th legislature.
This is where the men are separated from the boys, or shall we say the women are separated from the girls? It was Commissioner-designate and Vice-President responsible for budget and human resources Kristalina Georgieva who completely stole the show. Whereas most of her colleagues-to-be stumbled through the hearings sweating, Ms Georgieva turned her hearing in to a one-woman show. Her answers were quick and witty, which had the tough audience eating out of the palm of her hand.
President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker seems to share the Parliament’s infatuation with Commissioner Georgieva. In his mission letter to the designated Vice-President he states that she will ”guide the work of all Commissioners”. One might wonder how this should be interpreted vis-à-vis the responsibilities of Mr Frans Timmermans who, as the foreseen First Vice-President and Juncker’s “right arm”, will be able to veto any initiative, including legislative initiatives, coming from a commissioner’s team. Will we be witnessing a power struggle?
Less fortunate was the UK’s Lord Jonathan Hill, who has been summoned for a second hearing some time next week, as he flaked on content questions he should have been able to answer. Statements such as “I don’t have a particularly well informed view to share with you at this moment” left the room reduced to the sound of crickets. The press have dubbed his performance the ‘Hugh Grant approach’ as he clumsily admits his lack of EU knowledge. But it is going to take more than just charm to manage the financial services portfolio. MEPs demand content and Hill will have to prepare detailed written answers ahead of his second round of hearings.
This week was also the week of the SME Assembly 2014, which took place in Naples, as Italy currently holds the Council Presidency. The grandiose event, which opened in the ‘Camera di Commercio de Napoli’ and continued at the Stazione Maritima, brought together representatives from the European Commission, European business associations, as well as entrepreneurs, to discuss the future of SME policy.
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, representing more than 99% of Europe’s businesses, are still seen as the ‘backbone of our economy’ and the new European Commission will have to legislate with this in mind. The elevated level of Mr. Timmermans’ better regulation portfolio is an attest to that.
During the ‘big debate’, the statement thanks to digital technology everybody can become a successful entrepreneur was defended with vigor but that did not stop the audience from voting against it, as 73% believed it takes a little more than being tech-savvy to run a successful business. Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, who attended the debate, was pleased to be permitted to abstain.
The main topic on the Friday (today) of the Assembly will be the new Small Business Act for Europe, replacing its 2008 predecessor. What is disappointing is the fact that regulatory and administrative burdens, as well as a lack of access to finance remain the main obstacles for small businesses. Let’s see whether the new European Commission is up for the challenge.