REDING STRESSES CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS FOR NEW POST.

• Position: Viviane Reding

Viviane Reding, the commissioner-designate for the new portfolio of justice, fundamental rights and citizenship, opened her European Parliament hearing, on 12 January, by setting out three priority areas that she will focus on if confirmed in the post: strengthening the European Union's position in protecting citizens' privacy in all EU policies, strengthening the right of citizens to move freely in the EU, and the need to ensure that all accused and suspected persons have clear rights in Europe.

Speaking to MEPs in Brussels, the commissioner-designate addressed the three key parliamentary committees that deal with the issues of what Reding hopes will be her future portfolio. The above priorities were aimed at the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. In a session that overran the designated three-hour slot, but otherwise went smoothly except for an outburst from non-attached MEP Krisztina Morvai (Hungary) yelling across the floor "this is all a show," Reding also addressed the Legal Affairs Committee and the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality.

In all areas, Reding stressed the importance of now having the Lisbon Treaty in place and the fact that the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is legally binding and, as the commissioner-designate put it...