Gość: New Commission
IP: *.143-241-81.adsl-dyn.isp.belgacom.be
27.11.09, 13:13
Brussels, 27 November 2009
President Barroso unveils his new team
José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, today announced the
portfolios responsibilities for the next Commission. The President has held
detailed consultations with all the Commissioners-designate in order to assign
the right jobs to the right people. The President believes that this team can
deliver the agenda for change he set out in the political guidelines he
presented in September, following his nomination by all 27 Member States and
before his approval as President of the next Commission by the European
Parliament.
President Barroso said: "We have a European programme, and now we have a
European team. On the basis of the nominations by the Member States, I have
sought to design a College which can generate fresh ideas and new momentum on
the biggest challenges we face in Europe today. This College will implement
the political guidelines that I presented to the European Parliament. I am
confident that this College will be decisive in steering Europe towards
recovery and a sustainable social market economy that works for the people. I
have put together a strong Commission to fill the enhanced role of Europe,
including on the world stage, provided by the Lisbon Treaty. One of the key
tasks of this College will be to give life to the new opportunities provided
by the Lisbon Treaty. The Commissioners-designate will present themselves in
the hearings before the European Parliament in January. After the vote of
consent of the Parliament, it will be time to start to work and to produce
results for our citizens."
The new College will have 7 Vice-Presidents, including Vice-President Baroness
Catherine Ashton who will, at the same time, be the High Representative of the
Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, following the entry into force
of the Lisbon Treaty on 1 December next. Three of the Vice-Presidents will be
women. The new College will have 27 members, including President Barroso, one
from each Member State. It includes 9 women. The members of the College come
from different political families, notably the European People's Party (EPP),
the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S & D), and the Alliance
of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE). 14 members, including the
President, were already members of the outgoing College.
President Barroso has given a new look to the College of his second mandate.
He has announced a number of new portfolios: Climate Action; Home Affairs;
Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. He has reconfigured a number of
other portfolios: Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth; Health and
Consumer Policy; Industry and Entrepreneurship; Research and Innovation;
International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response. There will be
a new emphasis on inclusion in the Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
portfolio, and a renewed focus with the Digital Agenda portfolio.
Responsibilities of the Commissioners-designate
- Joaqu ín ALMUNIA: Competition. Vice-President of the Commission.
- László ANDOR: Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.
- Baroness Catherine ASHTON: High Representative of the Union for Foreign
Affairs and Security and Vice-President of the Commission.
- Michel BARNIER: Internal Market and Services.
- Dacian CIOLOS: Agriculture and Rural Development.
- John DALLI: Health and Consumer Policy.
- Maria DAMANAKI: Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
- Karel DE GUCHT: Trade.
- Š tefan FÜLE: Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy. *
- Johannes HAHN: Regional Policy.
- Connie HEDEGAARD: Climate Action.
- Maire GEOGHEGAN-QUINN: Research and Innovation.
- Rumiana JELEVA: International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis
Response. *
- Siim KALLAS: Transport. Vice-President of the Commission.
- Neelie KROES: Digital Agenda. Vice-President of the Commission.
- Janusz LEWANDOWSKI: Budget and Financial Programming.
- Cecilia MALMSTRÖM: Home Affairs.
- Günter OETTINGER: Energy.
- Andris PIEBALGS: Development.*
- Janez POTO Č NIK: Environment.
- Viviane REDING: Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. Vice-President
of the Commission.
- Olli REHN: Economic and Monetary Affairs.
- Maro š Š EF Č OVI Č : Vice-President of the Commission for
Inter-Institutional Relations and Administration.
- Algirdas Š EMETA: Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud.
- Antonio TAJANI: Industry and Entrepreneurship. Vice-President of the Commission.
- Androulla VASSILIOU: Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.
* In close cooperation with the High Representative/Vice-President in
accordance with the treaties.
A table with a more detailed description of the portfolio responsibilities is
attached.
Baroness Ashton will be the 1 st Vice-President. However, having regard to her
specific functions, notably in the Council, the replacement of the President
in his absence will be assured by the other Vice-Presidents, in the order of
precedence defined by the President. The order of precedence is: Viviane
Reding, Joaquín Almunia, Siim Kallas, Neelie Kroes, Antonio Tajani, Maro š Š
ef č ovi č .
Next steps
The new Commission must gain approval from the European Parliament before it
takes office for a term of office running until 31 October 2014.
Commissioners-designate will appear in individual hearings before
Parliamentary committees from 11-19 January. The vote of consent on the new
Commission as a whole is foreseen to take place on 26 January. On the basis of
the vote of consent, the Commission shall be appointed by the European
Council. Then it can start working.
I t will do so on the basis of the political guidelines for the next
Commission set out by President Barroso in September last. He highlighted the
need for EU leadership, shaping globalisation on the basis of its values and
interests. Taking global interdependence as the starting point, he set out a
transformational agenda for the EU, a Europe that puts people at the heart of
its agenda. He emphasized five key challenges facing Europe:
• Restarting economic growth today and ensuring long–term sustainability and
competitiveness for the future
• Fighting unemployment and reinforcing our social cohesion
• Turning the challenge of a sustainable Europe to our competitive advantage
• Ensuring the security of Europeans
• Reinforcing EU citizenship and participation.
Priorities for tackling these challenges will be set in a ten year framework
to deliver a vision for the EU in 2020, reinvigorating the inclusive social
market economy that is the hallmark of the European way of life. The
allocation of portfolios has been structured to deliver this ambitious agenda.
In his letters to each Commissioner setting out their new responsibilities,
President Barroso has underlined the essential role of the Commission as the
motor for the EU's efforts to address tomorrow's challenges, as well as the
new opportunities provided by the Lisbon Treaty. He repeated his commitment to
a smart regulation agenda, respecting subsidiarity and proportionality,
focused on clear added value at EU level; paying particular attention to sound
financial management; and full respect for the Code of Conduct of the Members
of the European Commission. He has also stressed the need for a successful
partnership with the Member States and the other institutions, in particular
with the European Parliament.
Background note to ed itors
The CVs with pictures of the 26 Commissioners-designate are now available on :
www.ec.europa.eu/commission_designate_2009-2014/index_en.htm
