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Jean-Claude Juncker set to win vote to head European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker set to win European Commission vote
(about 7 hours later)
The European Parliament is expected to approve the nomination of former Luxembourg PM Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission, despite strong opposition from Britain.The European Parliament is expected to approve the nomination of former Luxembourg PM Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission, despite strong opposition from Britain.
If backed by a majority of MEPs, he will succeed incumbent Jose Manuel Barroso of Portugal in November.If backed by a majority of MEPs, he will succeed incumbent Jose Manuel Barroso of Portugal in November.
In a speech to MEPs, he pledged the Commission would be a "political body", not just Europe's civil service.
He got sustained applause when he said the euro "protects Europe".
He said the old European Monetary System, before the single currency, had aggravated inflation and tensions between EU states.
The euro's disciplines had ensured monetary stability, he insisted.
At that point there were some shouts of "rubbish!" from UK Independence Party MEPs.
Eurozone veteran
As chair of the eurozone finance ministers Mr Juncker played a key role in putting together bailouts for Greece, Portugal and other struggling countries at the height of the euro crisis in 2010-2012.
He likened that role to "trying to keep a burning plane in the air while repairing it - you burn your fingers sometimes".
Last month, Mr Juncker won the backing of 26 out of 28 leaders of the EU.Last month, Mr Juncker won the backing of 26 out of 28 leaders of the EU.
UK PM David Cameron - supported by his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban - called the move "a serious mistake".UK PM David Cameron - supported by his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban - called the move "a serious mistake".
Mr Cameron said Mr Juncker, 59, was too much in favour of closer political union and might block EU reform.Mr Cameron said Mr Juncker, 59, was too much in favour of closer political union and might block EU reform.
The presidency is the most powerful job in Brussels - the Commission drafts EU laws, oversees national budgets, enforces EU treaties and negotiates international trade deals.The presidency is the most powerful job in Brussels - the Commission drafts EU laws, oversees national budgets, enforces EU treaties and negotiates international trade deals.
New procedureNew procedure
Mr Juncker, a veteran of Brussels deal-making, was a lead candidate of the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), which won May's European elections. Mr Juncker, a veteran of Brussels deal-making, was lead candidate of the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), which won May's European elections.
Objecting to his candidacy, Mr Cameron had pushed for - and lost - a vote on Mr Juncker, breaking with tradition.Objecting to his candidacy, Mr Cameron had pushed for - and lost - a vote on Mr Juncker, breaking with tradition.
In the past such appointments were made by the EU leaders - meeting in the European Council - by unanimity.In the past such appointments were made by the EU leaders - meeting in the European Council - by unanimity.
After the vote Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel said there would be a review of how the Commission president was nominated - but only after the new Commission team was in place.After the vote Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel said there would be a review of how the Commission president was nominated - but only after the new Commission team was in place.
She said Europe was "ready to address British concerns" about its future direction, and that she shared Britain's ideas about what the EU should be like.
Mr Juncker's supporters value his record of consensus-building and commitment to EU integration.Mr Juncker's supporters value his record of consensus-building and commitment to EU integration.
Under new EU treaty rules the leaders have to take account of the European election result when nominating a Commission chief. Under new EU treaty rules, the leaders have to take account of the European election result when nominating a Commission chief.
In the coming months a new 28-member Commission team - one from each country - will be appointed. The EU will also appoint a new foreign policy chief and new president of the European Council. In the coming months, a new 28-member Commission team - one from each country - will be appointed. The EU will also appoint a new foreign policy chief and new president of the European Council.
Jean-Claude Juncker: A man for Europe?Jean-Claude Juncker: A man for Europe?
Arguments for and against JunckerArguments for and against Juncker