Barroso's new Commission endorsed by EU leaders

European Union leaders yesterday welcomed the new team of European Commissioners presented formally to them on Thursday by Commission president-designate José Manuel Durao Barroso and expressed their hope "that this Commission can be approved and enter into office as soon as possible".

The European Parliament's political leaders yesterday held an emergency session with Mr Barroso to discuss the new Commission line-up.

The Parliament's president, Josep Borrell, will now set out a timetable to MEPs, with hearings expected to begin as early as next Monday. Mr Borell said: "It is very important that the European Commission be presented to Parliament with the shortest possible delay".

Mr Barroso is seeking Parliament's backing for his Commission after strong opposition to the Italian nominee, Rocco Buttiglione, forced the former Portuguese leader to withdraw his team last week.

"I think my team is of high quality, it is balanced and it should allow all political groups to reach a consensus," he said.

"Last week, I heard Parliament's message. I 'stopped the clock' to avoid an unnecessary crisis. We now have a good solution. I want broad parliamentary backing for my Commission. That is essential for a strong Commission that can drive Europe forward," Mr Barroso said.

He added: "I have made the 'necessary and sufficient' changes I promised."

Italy's Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini, as widely predicted, has replaced Prof. Buttiglione who resigned at the weekend. Sig. Frattini - who is well regarded in Brussels for his role running the EU presidency last year - steps straight into Prof. Buttiglione's justice job minimising the need for many changes to Mr Barroso's Commission. Mr Barroso commented that Sig. Frattini is an experienced politician and knows the EU institutions inside out. He said that Sig. Frattini did a successful job during the Italian EUpresidency.

Centre-left Hungarian László Kovács moves to the EU's taxation policy brief after criticism led by centre-right MEPs. Latvia's Andris Piebalgs then takes his old portfolio after Riga removed the widely criticised Ingrida Udre.

If the shake-up is good enough for the European Parliament, then a vote on Mr Barroso's executive could take place on November 17 in Strasbourg.

Maltese Commissioner-designate Joe Borg was not affected by the recent changes and was kept to head the fisheries and maritime affairs portfolio in the coming Commission's five-year term.