Former Czech investment banker Jozef Síkela is set to become the European Union’s next development commissioner, despite some difficult moments under the spotlight in Brussels this week. Hadja Lahbib, an ex-journalist who became Belgium’s foreign minister in 2022, is poised to take on the humanitarian aid brief, after sailing through her hearing. The official announcement of all the commissioner confirmations is expected on Nov. 21.
Here are 10 insights from the key issues and controversies raised during six hours of questioning by members of the European Parliament on Wednesday, setting the scene for their five years in post.
Ahead of the grilling, the Czech nominee was sharply criticized for describing his international partnerships (i.e. development) portfolio as a means to “strengthen” the EU and grab “raw materials and key technologies.” It was clear Síkela had been coached to stress that what he really meant to say is that he is determined to “fully contribute to Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.”