Hadja Lahbib makes strong impression in EU Commissioner hearing
Belgian Foreign minister Hadja Lahbib, who has been nominated as a European commissioner, began her hearing in the European Parliament on Wednesday morning. She made a strong impression, answering questions about her future portfolio with ease.
Hadja Lahbib was nominated by Commission president Ursula von der Leyen as commissioner-designate for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality. Due to the complexity of the portfolio, she was interviewed by six committees to determine her suitability for the role.
Lahbib made a very strong impression, answering questions about her future portfolio with ease. She said she would fight for equal rights for women in all circumstances and would always put international humanitarian law first. A lot of legislation has been passed in recent years to ensure greater equality, Lahbib said, and she would make sure it was implemented.
Tough questions
Lahbib also faced some tough questions on Wednesday. Several MPs grilled her on some controversial decisions during her career as a journalist and as Belgium's foreign minister.
In June last year, the issuing of visas to a delegation from Iran almost led to her resignation. During the hearing, Lahbib said that the Brussels government was responsible for inviting the mayor of Iran and that it had been done "against the advice of my ministry".
Her trip to the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2021 as a journalist for RTBF also came up. This sparked controversy in Belgium because the trip was through Russian territory and because she had been invited to go. Lahbib said she was invited "by an artist living in Belgium". "There should be no doubt that as foreign minister I have always defended the sovereignty of Crimea and Ukraine," she added.
"There should be no doubt that as foreign minister I have always defended the sovereignty of Crimea and Ukraine"
Now that the hearing is over, four of the six committees must decide whether to give Lahbib a positive evaluation. If the European Parliament is not satisfied with Lahbib's performance, she could be invited to a follow-up hearing next week.
© BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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