Press Release

27/11/2009

New Commission: EPP Group welcomes innovative portfolio distribution. Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

José Manuel Barroso has put together a strong team and with his proposals for new and innovative portfolios has shown he is preparing the Commission for the new challenges facing Europe and the wider world.

"This early announcement is most welcome as it gives the nominee Commissioners themselves and the Members of the European Parliament the time necessary to properly prepare the Hearings, scheduled to begin in early January," declared Joseph Daul.

"I welcome in particular the appointment of Connie Hedegaard (EPP/DK) to the Climate change portfolio. This appointment can only increase the chances of success at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference. The other new portfolios (Home Affairs; Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship) and reconfigurations will also give the Commission a greater ability to address the concerns of all Europeans."

"It is now the work of the Committees of the European Parliament to examine the ability of next Commissioners to deliver progress in the areas that have been allocated to them. The EPP Group will also use its criteria, for a strong European Commission, to judge the suitability of the nominees to be part of the new Commission.

We will do everything possible to allow a vote on the new College of Commissioners to take place on 26 January next, as scheduled."

Link to the Commission press release with the official list of attributions

For further information:
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group, Tel: +32-2-2847525
Antoine Ripoll, Chairman's Spokesman, Tel: +32-475-856290
Robert Fitzhenry, EPP Group Head of Press Service, Tel: +32-475-493356

Notes to Editors:
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 265 Members.