Today, the first round of Commissioners auditions came to an end. A week of regular and even weak performances disappointed many Europeans who feel that the next years need a strong union to combat economic and social crisis.

Rumiana Jeleva's is one of the candidates in a difficult position - the Parliament's development committee, which conducted her hearing, showed that the Bulgarian failed to answer MEPs' questions and declared that she had no solid ideas about complicated issues such as Afghanistan, Congo, Sudan and Gaza.

The designate Employment Commissioner has also failed the test that MEP’s prepared for him. Questioned about innovative ways to tackle the crisis, Andor failed to develop his idea of how to solve the massive unemployed across Europe. The Hungarian was merely able to enounce policies and legislation already in place between the EU and member states.

An already known face is Jose Almunia, who has been economic and monetary affairs commissioner since 2004. In his new role as competition commissioner, he will face the unsolved bank state aid cases provoked by the crisis.  

The auditions ended today with Hedegaard, the Commissioner chosen for Climate. After Copenhagen Summit the expectations were not high, but she managed, at least, to entertain the audience explaining how her new car is as much ecological as possible. When questioned about Summit’s failure, she answered that all her hopes are drawn in Mexico’s meeting where Europe can speak with a stronger voice and with UN’s agreement in this matter. The problem is that to reach it, she will need to have 192 nations agreeing in a climate deal…

The last auditions will now happen in Strasbourg, on next week.

The European Parliament will vote on the entire college of commissioners on 26 January.