BRUSSELS -(Dow Jones)- Neelie Kroes, Europe's tough antitrust tzar, has run into trouble in her bid to take on a new role as IT chief in a new European Commission line up.
The commissioner, who was dubbed "Steely Neelie" for her resoluteness in tackling market abuse by Microsoft, has failed to win immediate backing of key members of the European Parliament who must approve her new appointment.
After a three-hour hearing Friday, where Kroes was quizzed on such topics as broadband Internet for all and a single European market in online goods and services, many MEPs expressed "disappointment and frustration" that she had failed to make stronger impact.
"We were expecting a strong debate on issues concerning European citizens, economic recovery and investment in new communication technology," said French socialist MEP Catherine Trautmann.
"But the commissioner-designate didn't speak concretely on the social challenge for a guaranteed development of Internet, respecting fundamental rights and freedom of expression."
"Neelie Kroes' hearing didn't go well and the coordinators of the political group decided not to write the customary letter of evaluation afterwards," said Tony Robinson, spokesman for the parliament's socialist and democratic group, referring to a letter of recommendation or rejection to the parliament's president.
Instead, key members from the different parties will meet her again next week to try to resolve some of the issues, he said.
Kroes' press spokesman Jonathan Todd said there had been no official word from the parliament on the matter but the commissioner would cooperate with the parliament in any way she could.
"The commissioner designate is, of course, ready and willing to work with the parliament to clarify any outstanding issues," he said.
The antitrust chief isn't the only candidate to run into trouble during the parliament's vetting process.
Olli Rehn, the Finnish commissioner in charge of enlargement who has been nominated for the new Economic and Monetary policy role has also failed to win immediate endorsement. More discussions among key MEPs will take place next week, Robinson said.
And Rumiana Jeleva, the Bulgarian Foreign Minister put forward for the Humanitarian Aid post has been widely criticized as just not up to the job and is in line for rejection.
Socialist leader Martin Schulz said that Ms Jeleva would have to face a second parliamentary hearing if she remained a Commission nominee. "But I fear that a second hearing will be worse than the first," he said. "Her performance showed beyond doubt that she is incompetent."
Copyright 2009 Dow Jones Newswires
EU’s Rehn: EU Must Restabilize Public Finances In Coming YearsHigh court signals doubt NFL has antitrust protection
