New Brussels team includes first climate change post
Saturday November 28 2009
THE new EU Commission includes the first-ever climate change commissioner, in an indication of the EU's growing determination to tackle the problem.
The 'climate action' post will be taken up by Connie Hedegaard, whose native Denmark is due to host world climate change talks in Copenhagen next month to seek a new pact to tackle global warming.
European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso yesterday announced a 27-person team, including Ireland's Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, which he said was a "perfect blend of experience and new thinking".
"In five years' time, I want this commission to have been instrumental in leading Europe out of the economic crisis towards a competitive economy that provides sustainable growth," he said.
The new European Commission includes nine women, one more than the last commission, and is balanced among centre-right and centre-left politicians.
It needs the approval of the European Parliament to take office for a five-year term and hearings are set to be held next February.
The Spaniard Joaquin Almunia (61), who gave permission for the Irish Government to extend its borrowing as economic and monetary affairs commissioner, will now be competition commissioner.
He has won a reputation for independence and fiscal prudence.
Finnish liberal Olli Rehn (47) will oversee efforts to revive Europe's economy.
He has overseen the accession of Romania and Bulgaria as EU enlargement commissioner and has a doctorate in international political economy.
However, Mr Rehn has limited experience in economic policy-making.
France's Michel Barnier (58) will have a vital role reforming financial services as the new internal markets commissioner -- the post currently held by Charlie McCreevy.
The appointment of Mr Barnier, a former French agriculture and foreign minister, is more controversial because of the role he will have in overseeing a radical revamp of financial regulations to prevent any new economic crisis.
Powers
His nomination could worry financiers in London, Europe's biggest financial centre, who are fighting to water down proposed new rules on issues such as bankers' pay and curbs on hedge funds. France is seen as favouring tough regulation.
The formation of the commission, which has strong regulatory and law-making powers, is the latest stage in the EU's efforts to increase its influence after the economic crisis and follows ratification of a treaty to make decision- making smoother.
Mr Barroso has included few household names in his team and the new commission faces a tough challenge to impose its will on powerful member states.
"This commission will work in partnership with the member states and the European Parliament.
"It will lead, it will not be led," Mr Barroso said.
- Darren Ennis and Michael Brennan
Irish Independent
