Valérie HAYER (Renew, FR), Renew Europe Group Leader, speaks to the press. She presents the priority of her group ahead of the plenary session but also reflects on the presentation of the structure of the new College of Commissioners.

Strasbourg

plenary session

press conference

HAYER, Valérie (Renew, FR)

Renew Europe

Press briefing by Valérie HAYER (Renew, FR), Renew Europe Group Leader

'SOUNDBITE (French), Val&eacute;rie HAYER (Renew, FR), - Good afternoon, everybody. Before I actually look at topical issues and the concerns that we have about what Mr. Wonderland has been up to. I should just like to say a few words about the, dreadful floods, which have occurred and, struck a large part of Europe after the dreadful storm. So, what we are doing, of course, our policy is to support member states.

'SOUNDBITE (French), Valérie HAYER (Renew, FR), - We feel that the European Union should provide emergency aid for, reconstruction after this dramatic storm. These dramatic events, actually underscore the fact that, climate change is upon us. We're seeing its impact now. And I think it's important that in this context, we don't move away from the Green Deal. And we want to ensure that the new European Commission has a proper strategy and can, adjust accordingly. Of course, what is important is that, we heard from Ursula Von Der Leyen this morning relating to the college of Commissioners and what we heard was, not unexpected. And, the European Parliament now has to move on and has to go into the hearings of the commissioners. And we want to ensure that we can guarantee prosperity, safety and freedom in Europe.

'SOUNDBITE (French), Valérie HAYER (Renew, FR), - These are the three, priorities for Renew. Renew has contributed to this, College of Commissioners with five excellent candidates. We've got the executive vice president, Kaja Kallas as the head of the diplomatic service, Stefan Séjourné and Marta Kos. Our vision for the Commissioner' are European commitment to, values, of course, competence and skills and course, adhering to the guidelines which we agreed to in July, with, Miss Von der Leyen for the election of the commissioners. So it's important that we are tough, that we get what we require. And, we in the European Parliament have to ensure that we create the best possible, environment for our European Parliament at work. And that, of course, applies from left to right. It's across the board. Thank you very much. I'm open to questions.

'Question about the Green Deal - What confidence do you have that, the Green Deal is going to go forward as you wish. And, what about the list that you,, voted on previously?

'Answer by Valérie HAYER - 'Well, the, funded in-kind candidates, are to be elected in the context of pursuing what we agreed upon under the Green Deal. And it's important that as defence as you have, madam, that diverse, portfolios are taken into account here. And, this is very important when we are looking at the implementation of the Green Deal, we have to really keep a careful eye on things and ensure that we in the European Parliament, keep a careful eye on what is going on and ensure that, what we agreed upon is complied with. So I think we need to be even more, tough on, the implementation of the Green Deal than we may have been thus far. In the have.

'Question about the structure of the college - In the context of the, first parliamentary sessions and the appointment of the commission. What about, the,, implementation in the context of the populists? The europhobes the right.

'Answer by Valérie HAYER - Well, we have been very clear. We established this cordon sanitaire in the European Parliament, and we do not work, with the extreme right. We have, a majority, which covers left to right. And with, Mr. Van der Leyen, we are going to ensure that the guidelines are properly respected. In the hearings with the commissioners. Of course, we are going to, really, look at their skills and their European commitment very, very closely under a microscope. So it's important that we have this, common roadmap which is applied and followed by the entire commission.

'Question about the proposed role of EVP Fitto -  - I should like to know something about, Mr Fitto at an EVP post, and, what's your position on that?

'Answer by Valérie HAYER - Well, as you know, I have already expressed myself on a rumour that was circulating. I regret this political choice of Ms. van der Leyen, despite the alerts that we sounded. But, now we are going to evaluate the candidates for the commission on their competences, their skills, their European commitments, and of course, in the context of their following, guidelines, properly and duly.

'Question about Commissioner Varhelyi and his new Health portfolio - The Hungarian candidate, he was appointed as to be commissioner for health. He hasn't had any experience in this area previously. And five, years after the pandemic,, how are we going to view this during the course of the hearings, which are going to take place?

'Answer by Valérie HAYER - Of course, we are going to be looking at everybody's portfolios. We are going to see what people's skills and competencies are. For example, reproductive rights are very important. We have to ensure that these, for instance, are rights, women's rights, which are guaranteed. And so these are the sorts of questions we're going to be putting to, the candidates. And we are going to, really listen to the replies very carefully because it's important for all Europeans throughout Europe and particularly important for women's rights.

'Question about the structure of the college - I would like to know what your opinion is on the commission overall.

'Answer by Valérie HAYER - It's quite, complex. We've got a lot of different portfolios, some of which, can be actually conflictual, particularly defence. What's your idea about this? First of all. I think we're going to be looking a little bit more closely on which portfolios the executive vice presidents are going to get. we haven't heard this very clearly yet. We're going to get more details over the next few days. Now, what I do more or less agree upon with Mr. Von der Leyen is that sometimes, previously we've had commissioners whose portfolios have been, in a way, a little bit separate from each other with very strict boundaries. So, I think that a certain amount of fluidity is not a bad idea. So let's see what happens with the executive vice presidents and their roles.

'Question about the structure of the college - I have a question on, the new concept of madam von der Leyen because she said that this commission, this college will be interlinked. So many are subjects, many endeavours will be split into two. So there is a shared responsibility. Do you approve of this idea because, it's good when the opinions of commissioners coincide. But how it will function if the opinions are contrary or even conflictual?

'Answer by Valérie HAYER - Well, as I say, it's good for there to be integrated fluidity, for all issues to be linked. Talking about competitiveness that is linked to decarbonisation, employment, the social dimension and so on. So, it's important for there to be, interactions between DGS and the president. But that's the role of the commission, too. If there are differing opinions, then, as I say, a roadmap, from on the line with big policies, the, commissioners are supposed to, be consensual on this and respect the policies. It's up to the commissioners and vice president executive to deal with coordination and then the EP as well.

'Question about the calendar of the hearings - The Commission has hoped to, install the new college by the 1st of November. Do you think it's important to to do this quickly, for example, before the US election? Are you comfortable? You know, having the process take the time it takes and, have a college later, perhaps next year.

'Answer by Valérie HAYER - Obviously, the sooner we have, college, the sooner we can get working and confirm certain messages. You talked about the American elections. It would be good to know the political dynamics, but the hearings are important, and that's the main thing. It's important to take time for the hearings, for the commissioners. And that is the basis for the five years. So we need to take time. We need to be rigorous. And once we've gone through everything, we can wrap it up. Thank you very much.