EU ambassadors pave the way for new Commission to start work in December

EU ambassadors on Friday gave their approval to a document that would allow the next European Commission to start work in December without a U.K. commissioner, according to three diplomats quoted by POLITICO.

The document, previewed by POLITICO, was only given a few minor tweaks by the ambassadors, the diplomats said. Every EU country — minus the U.K., which abstained — signed off on the text. It will now be put on the agenda of a meeting of EU development ministers on Monday as a so-called A-point — meaning it will be approved with further discussion.

The European Commission set a deadline of Friday midnight for the British government to respond to an infringement procedure, in which the U.K. is accused of violating EU law by refusing to put forward a nominee. But so far London has not responded and is not expected to do so.

London had agreed to name a commissioner as part of a deal with the EU27 that extended the Brexit deadline to January 31 from October 31, but it has refused to do so, citing legal guidance that no international appointments should be made during a general election campaign.

The European Parliament is now scheduled to vote Wednesday to confirm the new Commission, without the British commissioner, at a plenary session in Strasbourg.

 

Via POLITICO