There are two ways the remaining commissioners could pass. Either — as has been the case for most of the commissioners so far — the groups will need to secure a two-thirds majority in each of the committees that grilled the commissioners from Nov. 4-12. Or — if talks on a package deal go nowhere — the seven commissioners could face risky secret votes where they need a simple majority of MEPs.
The second option is looking increasingly likely, as the Socialists & Democrats have made clear they will not support Fitto and Várhelyi, seemingly eliminating the possibility of a package approach.
Even if all seven do belatedly pass their hearings, there’s still one final hurdle before the Commission can start: The Parliament has penciled in a Nov. 27 vote on the whole package of 27 commissioners, known as the College, to take place at a plenary session in Strasbourg.
If a majority of lawmakers give the Commission the thumbs-up, von der Leyen’s new team will be able to start work Dec. 1 as planned.
If not, the Commission is looking at a 2025 start date.