Commissioners to Reveal Financial Assets

Though a deadline for the financial declarations has not yet been set, a spokesman said the files could be published before the hearings in the European Parliament, which take place from Sept. 27 to Oct. 8. Commissioners have to open up their 10-year financial history and must also report assets held by their spouses or partners. The most revealing file is likely to belong to Neelie Kroes, the EU's new competition chief, according to the Financial Times. The former Dutch transport minister, who used to be a board member at several European companies, may have some of her judgements queried because of previous business interests, according to an internal commission legal opinion obtained by the newspaper. In an unprecedented move, Kroes has vowed that she will not return to private business after leaving Brussels. Incoming Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel, who kept a secret stake in a Russian pig farm, will also face conflict of interest questions. (EUobserver.com)