http://www.eppgroup.eu/news/The-new-College-of-Commissioners%3A-How-will-it-be-elected%3F
As the Institution representing the citizens, the European Parliament exercises democratic control over the European Commission and plays an important role in its designation. After the election of Jean-Claude Juncker as Commission President, the MEPs will now examine the candidatures of the Commissioners-designate. Parliament’s green light is a must for their appointment.
Proposed by the Member States by common accord with the Commission President, the Commissioners-designate are invited to public hearings by the appropriate parliamentary committee(s). These hearings - although not laid down in the EU Treaties - are a formal process developed under the last two Commissions to allow Parliament to exercise its Treaty-based right to vote on any new Commission College. Commissioners must prove their general competence, personal independence and European commitment, as established in the Treaties. MEPs also assess any relevant information, including financial information.
The Commission President takes the results of the hearings, as well as consultations with Parliament's political groups, into account. He then presents his team and political priorities during a plenary session. After a debate, MEPs will decide whether to support the new College of Commissioners or not.
After election by the European Parliament, the new Commission can be formally appointed and take office. Its mandate is the same length as the legislature: five years. During this period, the Parliament will oversee the Commission's work and discuss its political priorities, as well as its legislative and budgetary proposals.
The timetable for the approval of the new College of Commissioners has been set out as follows:
SEPTEMBER 18 September:
Conference of Presidents adopts the calendar and the written questionnaires for the Commissioners-designate. There will be two general questions common to all on competence, portfolio and cooperation with Parliament, and three from the relevant Committee. Where more Committees are involved in hearings, they may also submit two additional written questions.
25 September:
Committee on Legal Affairs to scrutinise the financial declarations of the Commissioners-designate.
26 September:
Written answers to questionnaires in original languages to be received by the European Parliament.
29 September-7 October:
Hearings of Commissioners-designate and committee evaluation meetings according to the following timetable.
OCTOBER 9 October:
Conference of Presidents meets to evaluate the Hearings.
22 October:
Vote in Plenary.
31 October:
End of the mandate of the current European Commission.
NOVEMBER 1 November:
The new European Commission takes office.
Committee on Legal Affairs to scrutinise the financial declarations of the Commissioners-designate.
26 September:
Written answers to questionnaires in original languages to be received by the European Parliament.
29 September-7 October:
Hearings of Commissioners-designate and committee evaluation meetings according to the following timetable.
OCTOBER 9 October:
Conference of Presidents meets to evaluate the Hearings.
22 October:
Vote in Plenary.
31 October:
End of the mandate of the current European Commission.
NOVEMBER 1 November:
The new European Commission takes office.
