On 5 November 2024, Mr Magnus Brunner, Commissioner-designate for Internal Affairs and Migration, had his confirmation hearing in front of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. 

After his opening intervention, Mr Brunner engaged in a question-and-answer exchange with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). They questioned him inter alia on:

• The new return proposal and "return hubs": Mr Brunner said that a new return proposal would be tabled as a priority in 2025 and should enable simpler and faster returns. He mentioned that he would be open to hearing the views of the most important stakeholders in the European Parliament, of course, the Member States, and international organizations, and finding out what return hubs could look like and how they could best be implemented.
   
• New instruments to address legal migration needs: Mr Brunner expressed willingness to move forward with talent partnerships with third countries – including the discussions and negotiations on new legislation on the EU talent pool – and with the proposals on long-term residents.
   
• The implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum: Mr Brunner underlined that implementation is now of crucial importance and that he would be ready, if necessary and justified, to initiate infringement proceedings in the event of delay or lack of implementation in one or more Member States.
   
• Innovative solutions to combat irregular migration: Mr Brunner expressed interest in the experiences that are being made as a consequence of the agreement between Italy and Albania aiming to foster bilateral cooperation in the management of migration flows coming from third countries. 
   
• Secure external borders: Mr Brunner announced that the number of personnel in the permanent Frontex corps would be tripled to help Member States protect external EU borders, combat human trafficking, and also contribute to returns. He also stressed the need for the EU to have the right instruments to counter efforts to instrumentalise migrants on the EU’s eastern external borders.

The Conference of Presidents (EP President Metsola and political group chairs) is set to conduct the final evaluation and declare the hearings closed on 21 November. Once the Conference of Presidents declares all hearings closed, the evaluation letters will be published. The election by MEPs of the full college of Commissioners (by a majority of the votes cast, by roll-call) is currently scheduled to take place during the 25-28 November plenary session in Strasbourg.

For further details on the hearing of Magnus Brunner, please visit this web page. You will find various documents, including his curriculum vitae, the declaration of interests, written questions and answers, and the verbatim report of the confirmation hearing.