News: Commission Portfolios Announced

The European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso announced who he is proposing for Commission portfolios. The key economic portfolios will go to existing Commissioner Olli Rehn from Finland who will head the Economic and Monetary Affairs portfolio, and Karel De Gucht will be the new Trade Commissioner. The UK's Cathy Ashton as well as her publicised role as the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy will also be appointed to be a Commission Vice-President. Other key appointments included Joaquin Almunia who will head the Competition portfolio. The entire Commission will attend hearings in the European Parliament who have the power to reject the Commission as a whole. The Parliament used this power in a vote of no confidence in the Santer Commission over irregularities in the EU's budget and forced the withdrawal of Italian Commissioner, Rocco Buttoliogne over his views on homosexuality and the family. A full list of the proposed appoints is below.

Austria - Johannes Hahn - Regional Policy
Belgium - Karel De Gucht - Trade
Bulgaria - Rumiana Zheleva - International Co-operation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response
Cyprus - Androulla Vassiliou - Education, Culture, Multilinguism and Youth
Czech Republic - Stefan Fule - Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy
Denmark - Connie Hedegaard - Climate Action
Estonia - Siim Kallas - Transport
Finland - Olli Rehn - Economic & Monetary Affairs
France - Michel Barnier - Internal Market and Services
Germany - Gunther Oettinger - Energy
Greece - Maria Damanaki - Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
Hungary - Lazdlo Andor - Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
Ireland - Maire Geoghegan-Quinn - Research and Innovation
Italy - Antonio Tajani - Industry and Entrepreneurship
Latvia - Andris Pielbalgs - Development
Lithuania - Algirdas Semeta  - Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud
Luxembourg - Viviane Reding - Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship
Malta - John Dalli - Health and Consumer Policy
The Netherlands - Neelie Kroes - Digital Agenda
Poland - Janusz Lewandowski - Budget and Financial Programming
Romania - Dacian Ciolos - Agriculture
Slovakia - Maros Sefcovic - Inter-institutional Relations and Administration
Spain - Joaquin Almunia - Competition
Sweden - Ceclia Malmstrom - Home Affairs
UK - Catherine Ashton - High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy.