Olivér Várhelyi, Hungary's nominee for the European Commission post overseeing health and animal welfare, did not receive immediate approval from the European Parliament.

Following a lengthy hearing where Várhelyi answered questions about his ties to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his views on women's rights and animal welfare, MEPs opted for a second round of written questions, highlighting their dissatisfaction with his responses.

Renew Europe explicitly stated that Várhelyi's answers fell short of expectations.

Among the 16 commissioner-designates assessed, Várhelyi was the sole candidate who did not pass, receiving support mainly from far-right and European Conservative groups.

Meanwhile, groups like the Greens, Socialists & Democrats (S&D), and Renew Europe pushed for further evaluation.

Várhelyi, previously enlargement chief in Ursula von der Leyen's Commission, now has until Monday to address the MEPs' questions, with a subsequent evaluation requiring a two-thirds majority to approve or reject him.

If the committees cannot decide, a simple majority vote will be required.

Concerns about Várhelyi include his allegiance to Orbán and his prior controversial remarks.

MEPs also questioned his expertise in health policy, crucial for his proposed role.

During the hearing, MEPs challenged his views on abortion, which he stated fall outside EU jurisdiction, drawing criticism from Greens MEP Sara Matthieu, who questioned his awareness of health issues.

Renew Europe considered limiting Várhelyi's power over health policy, although this was not a topic during the hearing.

Any adjustments to his powers would require a demand in the MEPs' evaluation letter following their final decision on his candidacy.