This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29139503
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
UK gets finance job in new EU Commission | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The UK will oversee financial services in the new 28-strong European Commission - a surprise appointment expected to please the UK government. | |
The job goes to Jonathan Hill, former leader of the House of Lords. | |
France also got a powerful post - ex-Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici, a socialist, will run EU economic policy. | |
There has been intense national rivalry over the top jobs. There are seven vice-presidents for key areas such as growth, better regulation and energy. | |
Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is giving details at a news conference now. | |
Levers of power | Levers of power |
The team includes five former prime ministers, four deputy prime ministers and seven returning commissioners, appointed for a new five-year term. | |
The Commission is seen as the most powerful EU institution, as it drafts EU laws, ensures compliance with EU treaties and negotiates far-reaching trade deals with international partners. | The Commission is seen as the most powerful EU institution, as it drafts EU laws, ensures compliance with EU treaties and negotiates far-reaching trade deals with international partners. |
It is the target of much hostility from Eurosceptics, who accuse Brussels of wasting taxpayers' money and creating too many regulations, handicapping businesses. | It is the target of much hostility from Eurosceptics, who accuse Brussels of wasting taxpayers' money and creating too many regulations, handicapping businesses. |
EU officials say that having a detailed common rulebook, enforceable EU-wide, helps the single market by reducing national barriers. | EU officials say that having a detailed common rulebook, enforceable EU-wide, helps the single market by reducing national barriers. |
Europe editor Gavin Hewitt writes: | Europe editor Gavin Hewitt writes: |
The announcement will be an indicator of how Mr Juncker will run his Commission. | The announcement will be an indicator of how Mr Juncker will run his Commission. |
That matters because next year the UK could begin the process of trying to renegotiate its relationship with the EU. | That matters because next year the UK could begin the process of trying to renegotiate its relationship with the EU. |
Eyes on Juncker as he unveils team | Eyes on Juncker as he unveils team |
Mr Juncker, who served for many years as Luxembourg prime minister, said his choices were aimed at "breaking down silos and moving away from static structures". | |
One of the new vice-presidents is the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini from Italy. She already has the approval of member states. | |
Mr Juncker called the new seven super commissioners "project vice-presidents", who will co-ordinate key policy areas. | |
Frans Timmermans from the Netherlands "will be my right-hand man, more than just a colleague", Mr Juncker said. | |
Mr Timmermans would ensure that each Commission proposal was "truly required". | |
"We'll be big hitters when we need to be big hitters but we'll hold back when we're talking about minor issues," Mr Juncker said. | |
"The first vice-president will also act as a watchdog, upholding the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law in all of the Commission's activities," the Commission statement said. | |
Each country has a commissioner, but the EU tradition is for them to work in the interests of Europe as a whole, not to pursue national agendas. | Each country has a commissioner, but the EU tradition is for them to work in the interests of Europe as a whole, not to pursue national agendas. |
Nevertheless, each country has its own priorities and often pushes strongly to get a particular post. | Nevertheless, each country has its own priorities and often pushes strongly to get a particular post. |
European Commission: | European Commission: |
On 29 September the European Parliament will begin hearings, questioning each nominee in turn. The MEPs' approval is required for the new Commission to take office. | On 29 September the European Parliament will begin hearings, questioning each nominee in turn. The MEPs' approval is required for the new Commission to take office. |
The commissioners nominated for a second five-year term include: Kristalina Georgieva (Bulgaria), Johannes Hahn (Austria), Cecilia Malmstroem (Sweden), Guenther Oettinger (Germany) and Maros Sefcovic (Slovakia). | |
The plan is for the new Commission to take office in early November. It will replace the Commission of Jose Manuel Barroso. | The plan is for the new Commission to take office in early November. It will replace the Commission of Jose Manuel Barroso. |
Mr Juncker, a veteran centre-right politician experienced in Brussels deal-making, was given overwhelming backing from government leaders. The UK and Hungary voted against him. | Mr Juncker, a veteran centre-right politician experienced in Brussels deal-making, was given overwhelming backing from government leaders. The UK and Hungary voted against him. |