EC President announces new commissioners and portfolios
On 27 November 2009, European Commission’s President Jose Manuel Barroso has officially presented the names and structure of his new team.
The appointed commissioners will be responsible for several new portfolios such as Climate Action; Home Affairs; Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. Some of the already existing portfolios including Industry and Entrepreneurship; Research and Innovation; International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, have been slightly reconfigured.
The portfolios that are relevant to GMES-related activities will be managed by the following commissioners:
- Janez POTOČNIK: Environment;
- Connie HEDEGAARD: Climate action;
- Antonio TAJANI: Industry and Entrepreneurship (Vice-President of the Commission);
- Baroness Catherine ASHTON: High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security and Vice-President of the Commission;
- Maire GEOGHEGAN-QUINN: Research and Innovation;
- Rumiana JELEVA: International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response;
- Neelie KROES: Digital Agenda (Vice-President of the Commission).
The new executive will now have to be endorsed by the European Parliament before it can formally assume office. Parliamentary hearings are due to start in January.
