Brussels, 20 November 2024 (dpa/MIA) - The major political groups in the European Parliament have agreed in principle on the composition of the next European Commission, sources told dpa on Wednesday.

The new commission headed by President Ursula von der Leyen is now on track to start work on December 1, pending a final vote in the plenary session of parliament, where approval is considered likely.

The powerful EU executive arm is the only EU institution that can propose laws, which are then negotiated by the European Parliament and the EU member states.

Germany's von der Leyen had asked EU countries to each nominate at least one female and one male candidate for her team of 26 commissioners.

Von der Leyen was re-elected as head of the Brussels authority in July and presented her planned team for her second term in September.

In recent weeks, the nominated commissioners went before parliamentary hearings. Resistance had arisen during the hearings over the six designated executive vice presidents.

The appointment of far-right Italian politician Raffaele Fitto was a particular point of contention.

This will be the first time that a politician from the far-right Italian party Brothers of Italy will be appointed as one of the vice presidents of the commission.

He is to become the commissioner for cohesion and reforms.

Photo: MIA Archive