Joseph Daul MEP has announced that his European people’s party (EPP) insists on a scrupulous hearing for Commissioner candidates, due to start on January 11, but warns "it must not be a witch-hunt".

The leader of the most influential, center-right European party noted: "This is the first time the European Parliament's ability to assume its responsibilities under the Lisbon Treaty will be put to the test."

He stated that the Commissioners-Designate would be judged not only on "their European commitment, which must be beyond doubt", but also on "their ability to manage their respective portfolios."?

Daul said that his party would "call to order" any candidate who filed to fulfil both criteria, adding that, at a time when European unemployment exceeds 10%, "we need experts at the Commission".

The EPP group has already published its requirements that the Commissioners-Designate have not been associated with oppressive regimes, have not participated in a government or non-democratic political movements, or are tainted by corruption.

Bulgarian candidate Rumiana Jeleva, who has been nominated to take the position of Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid, and Crisis Prevention, has been subject to extensive speculation concerning alleged conflict of interests.

A media report on Friday included the observation that "Bulgarian candidate Rumiana Jeleva in particular needs to "come clean" following conflict of interest allegations, Parliament insiders said."

However, Joseph Daul had stated in mid-December, when public figures and politicians in Bulgaria and elsewhere began to vice concerns, that he saw "nothing wrong" with the nomination of Rumiana Jeleva.