The heads of some of the main political groups held talks on Tuesday to see through the approval of Ursula von der Leyen's new European Commission without delay.
"Things are moving forward," a parliamentary source said, adding that however an agreement was yet to be reached.
Another source said talks between Manfred Weber of the centre-right EPP, Iratxe Garcia Perez of the centre-left Socialists and Democrats and Valerie Hayer of the centrist Renew were "very constructive".
The deal, which could be announced as soon as Wednesday, would see all commission nominees confirmed by parliament.
In return the European People's Party -- to which von der Leyen belongs -- is being asked to commit to sticking with the other two groups going forward, upholding a "pro-European" majority in parliament.
The EPP has angered other factions in recent months by occasionally allying with the far right, which made gains in European elections in June.
"It's key the three forces of the political centre commit to this pro-European majority format and shared pro-European priorities," a parliamentary source said.
The process to approve the new commission hit a stalemate last week as lawmakers squabbled over some of the nominees.
Centre and left groups were unhappy that Raffaele Fitto, of Italy's hard-right Brothers of Italy party, was handed a vice presidency despite his political affiliation -- and wanted the title revoked.
They also wanted to block the nomination of Hungary's commission pick, Oliver Varhelyi, an ally of nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban.
In turn the right opposed Spain's Teresa Ribera, a socialist tapped to become arguably the EU's most powerful commissioner as competition chief with responsibility over a vast environmental portfolio.
They accused Ribera, a Spanish government minister, of mishandling deadly floods that hit the Valencia region -- and demanded she report to the Spanish parliament before a decision on her nomination.
Ribera is to address the parliament in Madrid on Wednesday.
Any deal would pave the way for a final vote on the whole team next week, in time for the new commission to start its five-year term on December 1.
Any delay would be untimely as the EU faces challenges with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East, and Donald Trump heading back to the US presidency.
Each EU state has nominated one member to serve on the commission -- the EU's top executive body and one of the world's most formidable regulators.
Related Links
Democracy in the 21st century at TerraDaily.com
| Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters |
| Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters |
