The European parliament’s environmental committee has reportedly cleared the way for Wopke Hoekstra’s appointment as new climate commissioner.

Hoekstra was required to answer a number of written questions from committee members prior to Wednesday morning’s decision and these were “more believable than the pile of gold promised on Monday,’ committee member and PvdA MEP Mohammed Chahim told the AD.

After a three-hour hearing on Monday evening and hours of discussion among political groups, committee chairman Pascal Canfin announced on Tuesday afternoon that both Hoekstra and commission vice president Maroš Šefčovič, had failed to gather enough support.

Both were given a number of written questions to answer by Wednesday morning.

The two candidates are expected to share the European Green Deal portfolio, but their appointments have to be confirmed by the European parliament itself.

That vote will take place on Thursday.