Lawmakers started grilling would-be members of the next European Commission on Monday, setting up a decisive vote on Ursula von der Leyen's new top team at the end of this month.
The showdown is a rare opportunity for the European Union parliament to flex its muscles against the bloc's powerful executive — and the outside chance a candidate may stumble has kept Brussels on its toes.
Each of the EU's 27 nations receives one seat on the commission, which drafts and enforces European law on key issues such as trade, competition and technology.
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