Exchange of views between MEPs and Commissioner Oettinger on budget portfolio

Preview and reports of the 'exchange of views' between European Commissioner Günther Oettinger about his suitability for his new portfolio for Budget and Human Resources and members of three European Parliament Committees in Brussels on the 9 January 2017.

It had been announced in October 2016 by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker that Mr Oettinger would be proposed as the new European Commissioner for this portfolio to take over from Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva who had resigned on the 28 October 2016.

The proposed appointment had proved controversial amongst some Members of the European Parliament and NGOs due to the importance and sensitivity of the portfolio, and earlier remarks by Mr Oettinger on a range of topics.

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) would only have an 'exchange of views' with Mr Oettinger and not a formal 'hearing'. Following the meeting, a majority of the committees’ coordinators were satisfied that Mr Oettinger was in a position to assume the portfolio.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Oettinger's nomination as European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources http://www.europeansources.info/record/oettingers-nomination-as-european-commissioner-for-budget-and-human-resources/

EurActiv, 06.01.17: Germany’s Commissioner apologises to MEPs for ‘racist’ speech http://www.euractiv.com/section/public-affairs/news/germanys-commissioner-apologises-to-meps-for-racist-speech/

EUObserver, 05.01.17: NGOs warn against Oettinger's nomination https://euobserver.com/institutional/136449

EUObserver, 06.01.17: MEPs to Juncker: Reconsider Oettinger's promotion https://euobserver.com/institutional/136456

The Guardian, 06.01.17: EU commissioner unfit for role after racist, sexist and homophobic remarks, say NGOs https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/06/eu-commissioner-unfit-for-role-after-racist-sexist-and-homophobic-remarks-say-ngos

Politico, 09.01.17: Parliament set to put Günther Oettinger through wringer http://www.politico.eu/article/gunther-oettinger-to-face-tough-questions-from-meps-appointment-hearing/

Deutsche Welle, 09.01.17: Involuntary YouTube star Günther Oettinger http://dw.com/p/2VWbM

Politico, 10.01.17: Oettinger wins the day http://www.politico.eu/article/oettinger-wins-the-day/

EurActiv, 10.01.17: Oettinger grilled by MEPs on budget, dodges questions on lobbyist meeting http://www.euractiv.com/section/public-affairs/news/oettinger-grilled-by-meps-on-budget-dodges-questions-on-lobbyist-meeting/

Politico, 10.01.17: Günther Oettinger’s hearing was no laughing matter http://www.politico.eu/article/gunther-oettinger-hearing-news-commission-meps-budapest-chinese-no-laughing-matter/

EUObserver, 11.01.17: EP to give Oettinger the green light https://euobserver.com/institutional/136505

European Parliament: Press Release, 12.01.17: Committees satisfied that Oettinger is in a position to assume budget portfolio http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20170111IPR57704/

---