EU: Mr José Manuel Barroso will this week face questions from members of the European Parliament's largest groups in advance of next week's vote on his nomination as Commission President. Denis Staunton reports from Brussels
At meetings with the Socialists tomorrow and the conservative European People's Party (EPP) and the Liberals on Wednesday, Mr Barroso will be pressed on the nature of any assurances he has given to large member-states on posts in the new Commission.
Following his nomination by EU leaders last month, Mr Barroso said he had made no "formal" promises to the governments of France and Germany but added that a number of governments had made known to him their views on how the Commission should be composed. Mr Barroso said he will not start formal talks on the composition of the Commission until his nomination is approved by the European Parliament on July 22nd.
Germany has made clear that it wants its commissioner, Mr Günther Verheugen, to be appointed to a powerful economic post, perhaps as a "super-commissioner" in charge of economic and industrial policy. France has suggested it wants the competition portfolio currently held by Mr Mario Monti, although senior sources have indicated Paris would also be pleased to have its nominee in the internal market post now occupied by Mr Frits Bolkestein.
Regardless of any understandings that may have been reached, the biggest member-states are almost certain to receive substantial portfolios in the new Commission. Apart from other considerations, the large states each have only one commissioner in the new Commission, compared to two until now, strengthening their case for big portfolios.
The most powerful economic portfolios at present are economic and monetary affairs, competition, the internal market and trade. Other traditionally prestigious posts include agriculture and fisheries, external relations and justice and home affairs. Further portfolios cover such policy areas as enterprise, research and innovation, health, employment and social affairs and transport and telecommunications.
With 25 commissioners, Mr Barroso will have to restructure the Commission, either by creating new portfolios or by appointing vice-presidents to oversee "clusters" of policy areas.
Senior Commission officials have drawn up sophisticated restructuring plans but some important questions remain unresolved, including the issue of whether vice-presidents would themselves lead directorate-generals (the equivalent of government departments).
The division of authority between vice-presidents and other commissioners could prove controversial, particularly in the economic field, where many Commission decisions are politically sensitive, sometimes affecting the interests of big companies in the member-states.
Senior Government sources say the Taoiseach is confident that Ireland's nominee will be given a portfolio that will reflect the nominee's experience. Thus, Mr Joe Walsh would stand a good chance of being appointed agriculture commissioner, although at least one other member-state is believed to want that job.
A number of small countries have indicated that they would like the enterprise or research portfolios and there is some pressure on Mr Barroso to create a powerful new commissioner to oversee the implementation of the Lisbon Agenda, which aims to make the EU more competitive.
Mr Barroso has encouraged national governments to nominate women, if possible, to improve the gender balance within the Commission. With so many nominees chasing the best jobs, most governments are expected to make their nominations within a few days of the European Parliament's vote on Mr Barroso next week.