Pick for Top Digital Job in Europe Is Grilled

The nomination of Neelie Kroes, who was hard-nosed as Europe's antitrust chief, to a new post as commissioner for the digital agenda was in doubt Friday after she was accused of being evasive during a testy appearance before a committee of the European Parliament.

Members of the two biggest blocs in Parliament, the conservatives and the Socialists, expressed concerns about the failure by Ms. Kroes to endorse clearly what they considered pro-consumer lines on price caps for mobile phone roaming, redeployment of broadcast frequencies for wireless broadband and revisions to digital copyright law.

After the hearing in Brussels, an Austrian member of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee, Paul Rübig, said the panel's political leadership had met and agreed to invite Ms. Kroes to a second, closed-door meeting next week in Strasbourg to clarify her positions. Her "nomination is on hold at the moment and it is now up to her," Mr. Rübig said.