09.02.2010
The new members of the 27-strong European Commission are expected to be approved by MEPs during a vote in Strasbourg this morning.
The new European Commission was scheduled to be approved by the European Parliament last November but this process was held up by a number of delays, not least of which was Ireland’s ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.
After further delays, the most recent of which was the withdrawal of the Bulgarian appointee to the Commission, Rumiana Jeleva, amid allegations over her financial dealings, it appears the Commission will secure MEP approval today.
However, the Commission is taking up office during a slump in confidence in the Eurozone and Europe's slow recovery from the economic crisis.
The 27-strong team of European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso includes a number of new faces, although many of the big jobs have gone to familiar names.
Ireland’s Commissioner, Maire Geoghegan-Quinn (pictured), has been given the research and innovation portfolio, and could potentially have a key role to play in the new commission as it focuses on improving European competitiveness.
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