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MEPs have blocked Hungary's latest pick for EU commissioner but given the green light to those of France and Romania, Euronews reports. 

The top team of the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, is made up of 27 commissioners, one from each member state.

Ursula von der Leyen is currently trying to assemble her line-up for the 2019-2024 European Commission, which has to be approved by the European Parliament.

The new commission was meant to start work on November 1, but this date was put back a month after MEPs blocked candidates from France, Romania and Hungary,

The trio had to put forward new nominees to Brussels and the European Parliament gave its opinion on them on November 14.

It came as the European Commission launched infringement proceedings against the UK for not putting a commission candidate forward.

MEPs rejected Hungary's Commissioner-designate in a first hearing, which means Oliver Varhelyi will have to answer additional written questions in the coming days before his candidacy can be approved.

Varhelyi, who has been put forward for the neighbourhood and enlargement portfolio, was quizzed by MEPs from the Foreign Affairs Committee.

"At the same time, we also need a more effective accession process and preparations that are focussed on delivering tangible results more quickly for people in their daily lives.”

Varhelyi was grilled by MEPs on his independence from the Hungarian government and Viktor Orban's policy.

Some MEPs, the European Parliament said in a statement, "voiced serious concerns over how Mr Várhelyi will be capable of promoting the rule of law and fundamental rights in the enlargement countries, given that his own country, Hungary, has passed several laws in clear breach of the EU Treaties over the last few years. Others expressed their worry over whether the Commissioner-designate’s loyalty will lie with the Hungarian government or the EU as a whole".

Despite repeating several times that he would work independently from Orban as an EU Commissioner, MEPs voted against his approval, by 30 votes in favour to 36 votes against.

Among the MEPs who supported his candidacy were those from the EPP group, of which Orban's party Fidesz has been suspended.