The long wait is over, and Barroso's new Commission has been nominated. The top dossiers went to a Frenchman, Michel Barnier for the internal market, followed by Finn Olli Rehn for economic affairs. Hopefully they are the personalities to navigate Europe

The News: Barroso's Dream Team

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/14964109/N002-91130-001-EN.srt

It's institutions in a hurry in Brussels.

The Lisbon Treaty is entering into force   after much delay

First the line-up of   European Commissioners

and Commission President didn't waste   time allocating the portfolios.

Just a few days after he had a complete   list of 26 candidates from Member States

This team is a perfect blend of experience   and new thinking.

We have a European programme,   now we have a European team.

not least because only now the EP   can really start its work.

We would like to do our job   as quickly as possible.

The EP would like to check the suitability   of Commissioners-designate,

The President's group, EPP,   boasts 13 commissioners

among them Commission President,   and Frenchman Michel Barnier

who takes the key internal market   and services post.

The second largest EP group, the S&D   only comes third in the new Commission,

with 6 commissioners,   but has Spaniard Joaquín Almunia

We are definitely not satisfied.   This is due to the conservative

and liberal nature   of most national governments.

However, Barroso made a huge step forward

and as far as possible also   really considered Social Democrats.

The liberals are happy to have seven, with   Finn Ollie Rehn

heading economic and monetary affairs,   arguably the top economic job.

EP has nominated a rapporteur to   oversee the hearing process

and also suggest changes that   could improve it in future.

There are ideas of making   Commissioners work more efficiently,

by creating topical clusters   on big policy fields

like foreign affairs, climate change   and economic recovery.

Some of us feel that the collegiality   can be improved

especially as the size   of the Commission grows

the Commissioners   can get to work in February.