Europe’s new budget chief faces examination

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s pick for the European Commission will face a grilling in Brussels on Monday. Merkel announced that fellow conservative Guenther Oettinger would become the European Commissioner for the Budget and Human Resources, an influential position.

Mr Oettinger will be questioned over a speech he delivered last year where he reportedly mocked women, questioned gay marriage and called Chinese people “slit eyes”. In November, information came to light alleging Oettinger used the private jet of a lobbyist with ties to the Kremlin without disclosing it.

A group of NGOs, including Transparency International EU, have called for the European Parliament to deny Oettinger’s appointment. While European lawmakers are expected to grill him over his indiscretions, Merkel’s pick is expected to be appointed.