At its plenary session on 9 February 2010, the European Parliament approved the new European Commission by a large majority of votes (488 votes to 137, with 72 abstentions). The so-called «Barroso II» Commission will stay in office until 31 October 2014. The new College will have 27 members, including President Barroso, one from each Member State. It includes 9 women (one less than at the beginning of the previous Commission). The members of the College come from different political families, notably the centre-right conservatives and democrats (13), the centre-left socialists (6), and the liberal democrats (8). 14 members, including the President, were already members of the outgoing College.
After the vote, MEPs expressed their views on what to expect from the new Commission. First and foremost, they stressed the Commission to play a leading role on the world scene, notably in the economic area, and to develop a workable strategy for Europe 2020 (for more information, click here). The Commission should become a driving force for Europe with a strong sense of unity and the ability to find polices backed by the different political families that compose the College. MEPs also expect the Commission to be more active in the field of international aid, in particular in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake.
Below is the list of the members of the new College of Commissioners and their portfolios:
President
- Jose Manuel Durao Barroso
Vice-Presidents
- Baroness Catherine Ashton: High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
- Viviane Reding: Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship.
- Joaquín Amunia: Competition.
- Siim Kallas: Transport.
- Neelie Kroes: Digital Agenda.
- Antonio Tajani: Industry and Entrepreneurship.
- Maroš Šefčovič: Inter-Institutional Relations and Administration.
Other members
- László Andor: Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.
- 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.
- Štefan Füle: Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy.
- Johannes Hahn: Regional Policy.
- Connie Hedegaard: Climate Action.
- Maire Geoghegan-Quinn: Research, Innovation and Science.
- Kristalina Georgieva: International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response.
- Janusz Lewandowski: Budget and Financial Programming.
- Cecilia Malmström: Home Affairs.
- Günter Oettinger: Energy.
- Andris Piebalgs: Development.
- Janez Potočnik: Environnement.
- Olli Rehn: Economic and Monetary Affairs.
- Algirdas Šemeta: Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud.
- Androulla Vassiliou: Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.
New Commissioner for internal market and services’ plans to work on European Foundation Statute
The election vote was preceded by individual hearings of the Commissioners-designate before the Parliamentary Committees working in the areas covered by their portfolios, see here.
When presenting his priorities during its hearing, Michel Barnier emphasised his intention of restoring citizens´ faith in the European project and the need “to put back at the heart of the internal market those who live it on a daily basis: the citizens, consumers and businesses".
In practice this means that he will consider a series of new initiatives, among which giving foundations and philanthropic bodies a European Statute. He will also look at the possibility of a social business act, to promote businesses which also attempt to fight against social exclusion. He highlighted the need to build a secure internet framework for consumers, and to ensure that citizens’ professional qualifications are recognised in other EU countries. The internal market should also enable citizens to access affordable quality services and goods.
Read more
More info about the hearing
Background
Following the public hearings of Commissioners-designate organised in January and February, each committee sent an evaluation letter on the respective Commissioner-designate to the Conference of Presidents (a body consisting of the EP President and the political group leaders). All these evaluations were positive, and on 4 February the Conference of Presidents gave the go-ahead for the vote to take place. On the basis of the vote of consent given by the Parliament on 9 February, the Commission shall be appointed by the European Council. Then it can start working.
Further details on the members of the new European Commission is available at: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_designate_2009-2014/index_en.htm