The European Parliament has released written questions from members of the European Parliament to the designated commissioners in preparation for their confirmation hearings in early November.
The former Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, the designated commissioner for preparedness, crisis management, and equality, has received several dozen questions spread over four dense pages.
The most sensitive questions concern the equality portfolio. How does she plan to overcome the political deadlock among the EU-27 on the anti-discrimination directive or extend the list of EU offences to include hate speech, hate crimes, and gender-based violence?
MEPs are concerned about implementing the directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence. They will ask if she intends to revise its scope to include a definition of rape based on consent, a proposal the EU abandoned a few months ago.
Anti-racism strategies, LGBTIQ+ rights, and the treatment of Roma people are also crucial. MEPs ask: "Do you commit to quickly initiating infringement procedures if there is any backsliding in these areas?"
On humanitarian aid, MEPs want to know how Hadja Lahbib will propose innovative financing models and monitor the effectiveness of allocated funds. They also ask: "What will you do to increase the percentage of humanitarian aid directly reaching local actors?"
The link between humanitarian aid, development cooperation, and peace building is another concern. Regarding malnutrition, they want to hear her plans on mitigating the "disastrous" impact of the Russian war in Ukraine on the global export of Ukrainian grains. "How will you ensure these exports reach developing countries to prevent worsening global food insecurity?"
MEPs are also worried about preventing extreme weather events (like floods, droughts, forest fires), shortages of medication and medical equipment amid epidemic risks, and the EU’s ability to prepare for hybrid threats and attacks on critical infrastructure and public services.
Lahbib will be questioned on 6 November by MEPs from four responsible commissions and two invited commissions.
