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Haggling starts over EU jobs | Haggling starts over EU jobs |
(about 2 hours later) | |
By Joe Lynam BBC News | By Joe Lynam BBC News |
The 'Yes' win in Ireland cleared a key hurdle for the Lisbon Treaty | The 'Yes' win in Ireland cleared a key hurdle for the Lisbon Treaty |
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso's closest aides treated themselves to a celebratory pint of Guinness in Kitty O'Shea's, a pub opposite the EU building on Saturday. | European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso's closest aides treated themselves to a celebratory pint of Guinness in Kitty O'Shea's, a pub opposite the EU building on Saturday. |
Nothing like a relaxing drink before settling down to the real horse-trading that begins this week. | Nothing like a relaxing drink before settling down to the real horse-trading that begins this week. |
The irritating hornet that was the initial Irish rejection of the Lisbon Treaty, which had been buzzing around the commission president's ear for 16 months, has finally been swatted. | |
Now he can play his favourite role, that of political Santa Claus - handing out desirable gifts (commission portfolios) to those of his children (EU member states) who have been behaving well (Ireland), and dull but practical presents (e.g. multi-lingualism commissioner) to naughty children (Poland or the Czech Republic). | |
Even though the process has not officially begun - Lisbon still awaits signatures from the Polish and Czech presidents - the haggling and bullying for top jobs begins this week. | Even though the process has not officially begun - Lisbon still awaits signatures from the Polish and Czech presidents - the haggling and bullying for top jobs begins this week. |
Some countries have already submitted names of their hoped-for candidates, even though Mr Barroso has not formally requested any. | |
Jobs for the boys | Jobs for the boys |
In his plea to MEPs last month for re-election as president, Mr Barroso hinted at a major reshuffle of the portfolios that would be on offer in the new commission which starts at the end of December. | In his plea to MEPs last month for re-election as president, Mr Barroso hinted at a major reshuffle of the portfolios that would be on offer in the new commission which starts at the end of December. |
Mr Barroso is facing weeks hard bargaining over commission jobs | Mr Barroso is facing weeks hard bargaining over commission jobs |
In a concession to the Liberals in the European Parliament, it is likely that the justice and home affairs commissioner's job will be split up - creating a new post for fundamental rights and civil liberties. | In a concession to the Liberals in the European Parliament, it is likely that the justice and home affairs commissioner's job will be split up - creating a new post for fundamental rights and civil liberties. |
Liberals and left-wingers will also welcome the promised creation of a climate change commissioner. | Liberals and left-wingers will also welcome the promised creation of a climate change commissioner. |
This will allow the EU to focus more thoroughly on cutting emissions by 20% by 2020 or whatever even tougher targets are agreed at the International Climate Change summit in Copenhagen this year. | This will allow the EU to focus more thoroughly on cutting emissions by 20% by 2020 or whatever even tougher targets are agreed at the International Climate Change summit in Copenhagen this year. |
Britain will be particularly interested in a suggested proposal to break up the internal markets portfolio and create a commissioner dedicated to financial services. | Britain will be particularly interested in a suggested proposal to break up the internal markets portfolio and create a commissioner dedicated to financial services. |
This plan would not create a "super regulator" for banks and insurance companies but, if adopted, would co-ordinate action better in the event of banks "misbehaving" again. | This plan would not create a "super regulator" for banks and insurance companies but, if adopted, would co-ordinate action better in the event of banks "misbehaving" again. |
It is highly unlikely that the UK, the banking hub of Europe, would be given the job though. | |
Nor is it likely that any of the more influential member states - Germany, France, Britain, Italy or Spain - will get one of the high-profile or controversial jobs dealing with competition, energy or internal markets. | |
Reward | Reward |
In fact, such is the trade-off behind the scenes that if Tony Blair were to become president of the European Council, as rumours suggest, Britain would have to settle for a far more modest commissioner's post. | |
Tony Blair is tipped to get the new job of EU president | Tony Blair is tipped to get the new job of EU president |
Ironically Ireland, which caused such consternation in Brussels until Saturday's result, is set to get a substantial portfolio as a kind of "reward" for voting "Yes" so decisively. | Ironically Ireland, which caused such consternation in Brussels until Saturday's result, is set to get a substantial portfolio as a kind of "reward" for voting "Yes" so decisively. |
That is because the Irish vote means the number of commissioners at the table will remain equal to the number of member states at 27. | |
The original Lisbon Treaty had envisaged cutting that number to streamline decision-making. | The original Lisbon Treaty had envisaged cutting that number to streamline decision-making. |
Of course, there is one almost guaranteed way a country can improve its chances of getting a juicier portfolio in the new commission - suggest a woman. | |
Jose Manuel Barroso has been quite open in his preference for more female commissioners. | Jose Manuel Barroso has been quite open in his preference for more female commissioners. |
And, with four women retiring next month anyway, he needs at least that number to achieve his goal of increased gender balance. |
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