Europees Parlement houdt hoorzittingen voor nieuwe eurocommissarissen uit Letland, Hongarije en Italië (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The new Commission is once again gearing itself up for a new round of parliamentary scrutiny as the last of the Commissioner hearings begin today (15 November).

Involving the Italian, Hungarian and Latvian nominees, the hearings are expected to pave the way to a majority of MEPs voting in favour of the new Commission on Thursday.

However, the parliament, which flexed its muscles and forced the first line-up to be withdrawn two weeks ago, is determined to make sure that these hearings are not perceived to be of lower standard.

"The parliament will be just as strong as last time. It is not a case of rushing everything quickly through the second time", said a parliament spokesperson.

As before, the behind-the-scenes political machinations are continuing with political groups bickering over Hungarian Laszlo Kovacs who was deemed "incompetent" for the energy portfolio and was moved to taxation.

According to the Socialist group, fake images purporting to show Mr Kovacs, himself a Socialist, as a Communist militia member have been posted on the internet.

Meanwhile, Italy's Franco Frattini is expected to be given a tough time by some MEPs. The Italian foreign minister who will take on the justice and home affairs portfolio, is expected to be questioned about domestic laws that have been passed, that favour Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his grip over the media.

Similarly, allegations that Mr Frattini is a freemason are also expected to feature in MEPs' questions.

Of the three, the least controversial hearing is expected to be for the Latvian Andris Piebalgs, who will be in charge of energy.

The political groups will discuss the hearings on Tuesday evening while incoming president José Manuel Durao Barroso will give a speech about his new Commission on Wednesday.

The vote will take place on Thursday and, as MEPs can only reject the Commission as a whole and not individual commissioners, it is expected to be positive.

This would allow the new Commission to take up office on 22 November - just over three weeks later than it was originally supposed to.