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Juncker gives key EU economy jobs to UK and France Juncker gives key EU economy jobs to UK and France
(about 2 hours later)
The UK will oversee financial services in the new 28-strong European Commission - a surprise move that delighted the UK's PM David Cameron.The UK will oversee financial services in the new 28-strong European Commission - a surprise move that delighted the UK's PM David Cameron.
The job goes to Jonathan Hill, former leader of the House of Lords.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.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.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.
Three of the seven powerful new posts have gone to women.Three of the seven powerful new posts have gone to women.
Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced the details, saying the new team was "geared to give Europe its new start".Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced the details, saying the new team was "geared to give Europe its new start".
Levers of powerLevers 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 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.
On the appointment of Lord Hill, Mr Cameron said during a trip to Edinburgh "I think that is a great piece of news because 40% of Europe's financial services industry is in the United Kingdom, a lot of it here in Scotland.On the appointment of Lord Hill, Mr Cameron said during a trip to Edinburgh "I think that is a great piece of news because 40% of Europe's financial services industry is in the United Kingdom, a lot of it here in Scotland.
"And I think it would be great for the United Kingdom to have someone right at the heart of the European Commission, the European Union, making sure that financial services industries... can go from strength to strength.""And I think it would be great for the United Kingdom to have someone right at the heart of the European Commission, the European Union, making sure that financial services industries... can go from strength to strength."
The City of London dominates financial services in the EU, despite the UK being outside the euro. The appointment of Lord Hill is likely to please the City, as the UK prepares for a tricky renegotiation of powers with Brussels. The City of London dominates financial services in the EU, despite the UK being outside the euro. The appointment of Lord Hill is likely to please the City, as the UK pushes for far-reaching reforms in Brussels.
Lord Hill said "there is much work to do... to ensure we have stable and well-regulated financial markets".Lord Hill said "there is much work to do... to ensure we have stable and well-regulated financial markets".
His job could help anchor the UK in the EU ahead of a UK in/out referendum on membership, which Mr Cameron says will take place in 2017 if the Conservatives are re-elected.
Chris Morris, Brussels correspondent:Chris Morris, Brussels correspondent:
Prime Minister David Cameron had campaigned hard for Lord Hill to be given a top economic job on the new Commission. In financial services he has one - it's a role which will involve the supervision of banks, and other matters that affect the City of London.Prime Minister David Cameron had campaigned hard for Lord Hill to be given a top economic job on the new Commission. In financial services he has one - it's a role which will involve the supervision of banks, and other matters that affect the City of London.
For a country outside the euro to have a commissioner at the heart of financial affairs will provide reassurance, that the eurozone understands the need to take into account the concerns of member states that use other currencies.For a country outside the euro to have a commissioner at the heart of financial affairs will provide reassurance, that the eurozone understands the need to take into account the concerns of member states that use other currencies.
Mr Cameron had been very open in his opposition to Jean-Claude Juncker taking over the Presidency of the Commission. This appointment suggests that while Mr Juncker may not have forgotten British hostility, he is prepared to put that to one side, and to try to work constructively together.Mr Cameron had been very open in his opposition to Jean-Claude Juncker taking over the Presidency of the Commission. This appointment suggests that while Mr Juncker may not have forgotten British hostility, he is prepared to put that to one side, and to try to work constructively together.
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".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".
He told the BBC that Britain's role in the EU was "very important" and "I do want Britain to stay as an active constructive member".
"I don't want to see Britain leave. We would lose all the virtues Britain is representing. So I decided to give a major portfolio to Lord Hill."
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.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. The seven new "project vice-presidents" 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. But 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". Mr Timmermans would ensure that each Commission proposal was "truly required" and monitor compliance with EU rules and values, he said.
"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. "We'll be big hitters when we need to be big hitters but we'll hold back when we're talking about minor issues."
"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.
The new Commission should take office in early November. It will replace the Commission of Jose Manuel Barroso.The new Commission should take office in early November. It will replace the Commission of Jose Manuel Barroso.
European Commission:
Mr Juncker appeared to reach out to centre-left politicians by combining the euro and social dialogue in one portfolio, under Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis from Latvia.Mr Juncker appeared to reach out to centre-left politicians by combining the euro and social dialogue in one portfolio, under Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis from Latvia.
"The euro and monetary union must be seen as not being merely about numbers - there's a social dimension to it," Mr Juncker said."The euro and monetary union must be seen as not being merely about numbers - there's a social dimension to it," Mr Juncker said.
Critics say the Commission's eurozone policy has been too focused on cutting deficits and not enough on encouraging growth.Critics say the Commission's eurozone policy has been too focused on cutting deficits and not enough on encouraging growth.
Finland's ex-Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen will co-ordinate policies on jobs, investment and competitiveness.Finland's ex-Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen will co-ordinate policies on jobs, investment and competitiveness.
And Elzbieta Bienkowska of Poland has a powerful post, taking charge of the internal market with a special focus on small businesses.And Elzbieta Bienkowska of Poland has a powerful post, taking charge of the internal market with a special focus on small businesses.
Poland already has a key new job in the EU power structure, as ex-PM Donald Tusk will be European Council President.Poland already has a key new job in the EU power structure, as ex-PM Donald Tusk will be European Council President.
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.
Seven commissioners were nominated for a second five-year term, including: Kristalina Georgieva (Bulgaria), Johannes Hahn (Austria), Cecilia Malmstroem (Sweden), Guenther Oettinger (Germany) and Maros Sefcovic (Slovakia).Seven commissioners were nominated for a second five-year term, including: Kristalina Georgieva (Bulgaria), Johannes Hahn (Austria), Cecilia Malmstroem (Sweden), Guenther Oettinger (Germany) and Maros Sefcovic (Slovakia).
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.