Commission ratification likely after Prodi statement

The ratification of the European Commission next Wednesday in Strasbourg now appears certain, following a formal declaration by its President-elect, Mr Romano Prodi, on future relations with the European Parliament.

Speaking to the leaders of the Parliamentary groups at the end of the hearings on each commissioner, Mr Prodi set out a fivepoint political commitment whose wording is understood to have been agreed informally before the meeting with the President of the largest group, the European People's Party (EPP), Mr HansGerd Pottering.

Mr Pottering told journalists later that the EPP's demands "have now been dealt with point by point to our satisfaction". The five-point agreement commits the Commission to ensure commissioners will be available at all times for parliamentary meetings, promises to take seriously MEPs' requests for new legislation, promises parliamentary involvement on the reform of the Commission, and backs calls for a wide ranging Inter-Governmental Conference on institutional reform before the next enlargement of the EU.

On the crucial issue of the sacking of individual commissioners for misconduct, the President promises to "examine seriously" any such request from Parliament if "substantive and representative". But, crucially, on this issue as on the others, Mr Prodi retains his personal discretion. Sources close to the Commission insist the concessions represent no fundamental shift in the institutional balance.

Mr Pottering made clear that his group now had no substantial problems with ratification, insisting that he could not have sought commitments that would have breached treaty rights. And the President of the Parliament, Ms Nicole Fontaine, admitted that none of the reports from the hearings contained a recommendation against an individual appointment.

Earlier, the Socialist group's co-ordinator for the hearings, Mr Hannes Swoboda, indicated that the Socialists also had no problems with ratification. Despite some likely breaking of ranks within the EPP on the part of the British Tories and some German members, who will vote against, the two main groups and several smaller groups are virtually certain now to carry the day for the new Commission.

The final public hearing in Parliament for commissioners-designate saw the questioning of the British Transport Commissioner, Mr Neil Kinnock, who will be responsible for the reform of the Commission.