MEPs give environment nominee a tough time at hearing

摘要

MEPs have given European Environment Commissioner-designate Stavros Dimas a rough ride at and after his 29 September hearing in Brussels. "You don't strike me as a natural environmentalist," said Chris Davies (UK - Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe). "What would you say to the Greens' fears that your appointment reflects a downgrading of environmental considerations?" Another sceptic said that the Greek candidate, a former industry minister, risked "sacrificing environmental matters on the altar of economic interest." After the hearing, both the Green/European Free Alliance and the European United Left/Nordic Green Left groups said that they were 'distinctly unimpressed' with Dimas' performance and would not support his appointment.