The European Parliament approves the Prodi Commission.

Decision of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of 19 April 1995 on the detailed provisions governing the exercise of the European Parliament's right of inquiry.

The Daily Notebook details the reactions of some MEPs during a debate concerning the motion of censure on the activities of the Commission in January 1999.

European Parliament Resolution of 14 January 1999 on improving the financial management of the Commission.

Published in the Spanish daily newspaper El País on 16 January 1995, just as the Santer Commission is being nominated, this article takes account of the difficulties encountered by the designated commissioners during their individual hearings in the European Parliament and forecasts a complicated vote of appointment.

On 14 January 1999, the European Parliament holds a vote on a motion of censure on the Santer Commission.

Published in the Spanish daily newspaper El País on 5 September 1999, this article criticizes the challenging attitude of some MEPs, on the occasion of the nomination of the Prodi Commission, as the European Parliament questions all the designated members of the future executive before giving its approval.

The European Parliament can pass a motion of no confidence against the Commission and even has the power to dissolve the Commission. On 12 May 2005, a motion of no confidence is filed against the Barroso Commission, but ultimately the motion is not passed.

Given its power of scrutiny, the European Parliament exercises democratic supervision over the Commission, which regularly submits reports to Parliament, including an annual report on the activities of the European Union and the implementation of the budget. Once a year, the President of the Commission gives his address on the State of the Union at the European Parliament plenary session.

On 22 October 2014, the French daily newspaper Le Monde analyses the investiture of the Juncker Commission by the European Parliament. Following a long process of interviews with candidates for the post of Commissioner by MEPs, the vote in Parliament represents the final stage in the process leading to the new European Commission (423 votes in favour, 209 against and 67 abstentions). The Juncker Commission begins its term on 1 November 2014.

Table portraying the votes cast in the European Parliament since 1995 approving the President-designate of the European Commission as well as the Commission-designate.

Table showing the motions of censure tabled in the European Parliament against the Commission’s management.