The European Court of Auditors is appointing or reappointing ten of its 17 members. After hearings before the European Parliament, the candidates will have to be formally named by the Council by 6 May.

In July 2009, the EU Council of Ministers asked the national authorities of nine member states to designate new candidates to represent them in the EU Court of Auditors, whose main task is to guarantee correct execution of the EU budget. The deadline was originally November 2009 but was pushed back to January 2010, since certain countries experienced delays. Meanwhile, Ireland was added to the list of states since it decided to send Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, its representative at the Court of Auditors, to sit in the new Barroso II Commission.

Of the list of ten names submitted by the governments (see box), seven are new and three are reappointments. The ten candidates are being heard, on 15 and 16 March in Brussels, by the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT). The plenary will give its views, on 25 March in Brussels, but Parliament is simply consulted. The Council will have to appoint the members formally by qualified majority by 6 May 2010. MEPs submitted a written questionnaire to the new candidates. The questions concern several points related to their professional experience (particularly in the areas of public finance, management and financial audit), their independence and how they plan to carry out their future tasks.

Members of the Court of Auditors are appointed for a term of six years (renewable). They are chosen from individuals who were formerly or are presently members of external audit institutions in their home country or who have qualifications for such a position. Their appointment must meet three requirements: competence, independence from all governments and other bodies, and full-time commitment. Members of the court may not practice any other professional activity, paid or not, during their term of office.

The candidates

New:

- Szabolcs Fazakas (Hungary)

- Rasa Budbergyte (Lithuania)

- Louis Galea (Malta)

- Augustyn Bronislaw Kubik (Poland)

- Ladislav Balko (Slovakia)

- Eoin O’Shea (Ireland)

- Milan Martin Cvikl (Slovenia)

Incumbent:

- Jan Kinst (Czech Republic)

- Kersti Kaljulaid (Estonia)

- Igors Ludborzs (Latvia)