President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso has received all the names of the remaining 25 members of the European Commission. He can finally begin preparations for the allocation of departments, a process that will be closely monitored by the governments of EU member states, reports Deutsche Welle.
Barroso will allocate departments for the 25 members of the Commission over the next few days. For now, only his position as president and that of his deputy, British Catherine Ashton, are certain. The new Commission will have nine women. The majority consists of 13 commissioners from the center-right (EPP), eight commissioners are liberals (ELDR), and only six belong to the center-left (PES). 14 members of the Commission are returnees, meaning people who have previously been members of the European Commission, including Barroso himself, who now has to decide who will receive the most influential departments, such as internal market, trade, competition, industry, finance, and monetary issues. The composition of the Commission is based on Article 17 of the Lisbon Treaty, Barroso explained in the European Parliament, adding: ‘Ultimately, it is my responsibility to compose the European Commission.’ Barroso announced the opening of new departments such as climate protection, justice and fundamental rights, and internal affairs. Danish Minister for Climate and Energy Connie Hedegaard is designated for the position of Commissioner for Climate Protection. (Deutsche Welle)
