It was clear from the outset that Kristalina Georgieva’s confirmation hearing on February 3 was going to be an altogether less fraught affair than that of her hapless predecessor’s, Roumyana Zheleva, on January 12.

Not that Georgieva’s answers were necessarily more specific when viewed in the cold light of day. For example, she offered no concrete promises on fighting "natural man-made disasters" - no, not a reference to Zheleva’s performance but rather to forest fires - or to the problems of corrupt governments who willfully allow their people to starve while syphoning off aid. Despite these minor reservations, however, Georgieva’s general demeanour conveyed poise and authority. When Conservative MEP Nirj Deva asked her if she was willing to fight against the EU’s vested interests, she immediately answered "yes, sir!" in a manner somewhat reminiscent of Lady Thatcher that reduced the gathering to convivial laughter.

Where Zheleva had blushed and flustered, Georgieva answered all questions with the air of someone well briefed in her new prospective portfolio. Without searching questions into her financial probity and clearly against the backdrop of a desire on behalf of the EU parliament to expedite the whole process, Georgieva sailed through and received hearty congratulations from well-wishers when the three-hour inquisition ended. 

Georgieva (56) currently vice president and corporate secretary of the World Bank, looked comfortable and businesslike, dressed in a black jacket and white blouse as she faced questions from some of the same people who had interrogated her ill-fated compatriot the previous month.

The devastation in Haiti dominated the initial proceedings, although by the end the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza seemed to concern her inquisitors more. Georgieva said that, if confirmed, Haiti would be her priority. "We are in the midst of a crisis that cost more than 150 000 Haitians their lives. If confirmed, it will be my duty to bring them the best we can offer," she said.

Georgieva said that Europeans had shown "unmatched generosity" in terms of private donations to Haiti’s earthquake victims. "Europeans can and must be proud of what they do. Europe has provided more than 60 per cent of humanitarian aid (to Haiti)," she said, while conceding that a concerted EU response was perhaps lacking.

In response to a question from Dutch MEP Judith Sargentini (in some ways Zheleva’s nemesis on January 12) about how she perceived the strictures of her new role, Georgieva said that she saw herself as the agent of relief at times of disaster.

When pressed for her reasons for standing for the post, Georgieva alluded briefly to the difficult process surrounding Zheleva’s candidature and said that "when the call came, it was my duty". She also said that of the EC’s 26 portfolios, four - environment, development, climate action and development - suited her skills.  

‘Impressive intellectual capacity’
During three hours of questioning Georgieva stressed that her role as the EC commissioner should be one of "neutrality, independence and impartiality" but that certain unhelpful governments could be exposed if they impeded the access of humanitarian supplies.

"We must diligently try to get help to the people who need it. We should also expose those governments who withhold supplies from their people," she said.

She called for greater transparency in the way that funds channelled by the EC are monitored, seeming to agree with one particular questioner who said that "some African leaders" have proved to be untrustworthy partners. "I’m a strong believer in transparency and accountability," Georgieva said. "When there is not enough transparency, people die." If governments proved to be unhelpful, then they should be bypassed in favour of international aid organisations like the Red Cross, she said. However, she appeared not to support military intervention to help aid missions deliver supplies, describing it as a last resort. "What we learn from people who work in difficult situations is that they prefer not to be guarded by the military. But sometimes, of course, flying people in is a necessary protective measure," she said.

She said it was vital that the EC’s core values of "neutrality, independence and impartiality" were upheld. Pressed repeatedly on Gaza and the deteriorating humanitarian situation there, she admitted that there had been a sharp reduction in supplies reaching Gaza, mentioning that aid getting through was now only a quarter of what it was before 2006. "We have to tackle the reasons why access cannot be allowed." She said that the Israeli authorities could be pressured to cite a list of commodities that could not be brought into Gaza. She also expressed concern that tunnels linking Egypt with Gaza were now being closed.

Several questioners noted Georgieva’s formidable performance, including British Labour MEP Michael Cashman, who praised Georgieva’s "impressive intellectual capacity" and recommended that "we should move swiftly to the positive confirmation process".

On a personal note, Georgieva promised her mother, whose 89th birthday fell on the same day as her confirmation hearing, February 3, that she would learn French if she was accepted. In reply to another questioner, she said she was learning to make use of Twitter, describing it as a "very powerful tool" of communication.

Georgieva has announced she will leave her current post as World Bank vice president on February 8, a day before the European Parliament vote on the new Commission. She could afford to be certain; the barest time passed before the committee voted to approve her nomination.