Candidates from Hungary and Romania are rejected in unprecedented move over alleged conflicts of interestThe European parliament has rejected EU commissioner candidates from Hungary and Romania over alleged conflicts of interest, in a blow to the incoming president, Ursula von der Leyen. In a closed-door meeting, MEPs on the European parliament’s legal affairs committee rejected Romanian socialist Rovana Plumb and Hungarian Fidesz party appointee, László Trócsányi. Both were deemed to have a conflict of interest and denied permission to take part in hearings in front of the relevant European parliament committee, the next and essential step in becoming a European commissioner. The committee approved the remaining candidates, allowing 24 would-be commissioners to be questioned in a series of hearings due to begin on Monday. In theory both candidates could still become EU commissioners if they satisfy the parliament they have no conflict of interest in their new roles.

Source: The Guardian September 26, 2019 16:56 UTC