Yesterday, the new EU Commission of Jean-Claude Juncker was announced. With the European economy stuck in a rut for the last six years, Commission President Juncker says he hopes the newly announced team will convince Europeans that “the Commission can change”.
The biggest innovation of the proposed Commission will be the inclusion of new “super Commissioners”, seven Vice-Presidents (including several former Prime Ministers) who will oversee “clusters” of policy areas.
In another attempt to shake-up the Commission’s structure, the Dutch Foreign Minister, Frans Timmermans, is set to become Juncker’s “right-hand man” as the First Vice-President. His job will include vetting new Commission legislative proposals to check they aren’t better handled at the national level.
Powerful new economic portfolios are being given to Poland’s Elžbieta Bieńkowska, who has been offered the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs portfolio; France’s Pierre Moscovici, who has the Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs portfolio, and the UK’s Lord Jonathan Hill, who has been given the Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union portfolio (something which will please the UK government, which had been concerned its public attempts to block Jean-Claude Juncker as Commission President might see the financial services portfolio go instead to a Eurozone member).
For the first time, there will also be a Commissioner specifically for Migration. This post will be given to Greek Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos. Immigration is a key issue in Greece, which sits on the frontline of migration flows into the EU.
There had been rumours that Juncker’s Commission would have no Commissioner in charge of EU Enlargement, sending a political message that the EU has no plans to accept new members in the near future. However, Austria’s Johannes Hahn has been given the position of Commissioner in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (though Juncker has several times said he sees no EU enlargement for at least the next five years).
Before the new Commission can officially begin work, it first has to be approved by the European Parliament. The Parliament will now interview each of the proposed Commissioners in turn and, although it cannot veto individual Commissioners, it can withhold approval for the entire Commission. In practice, if the Parliament threatens a veto then the offending candidate is often replaced.
In 2004, Italy was forced to withdraw the candidacy of Rocco Buttiglione over accusations that he had made sexist and homophobic comments. In the current Juncker Commission, Spain’s Miguel Arias Cañete is under scrutiny because of alleged sexism. This could mean a tough grilling for Arias Cañete, as the Parliament has been very clear it sees gender equality as a priority and had earlier threatened a veto if not enough female Commissioners were put forward (9 of the 27 proposed Commissioners are women, including 3 of the 7 Vice-Presidents).
For the full list of new Commissioners, see here
Will the new “super Commissioners” be able to cut down red tape and help create a more efficient EU? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below, and we’ll take them to policy-makers and experts for their reactions!
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Αποδοτική και αποτελεσματική!
I personally did not expect the Juncker to impress at all and at least not this early. After Barroso, who managed to completely undermine the role of Commission President by showing total subservience to a national leader, Angela Merkel, I personally expected any other PPE President so simply offer more of the same. I seem to have been wrong about Juncker so far and I hope he sticks to his guns for the next 5 years as well.
I am really glad for the Commissioners for Justice and Regional Policy as well as for the Super-Commissioner for Budget. The team on the whole looks great and i trust they will have no problems whatsoever getting through Parliament.
National governments and parliaments are democratically elected, unlike the Eurosoviet Politburo (Commission) and the Eurosoviet Duma (Parliament).
No national politician should EVER be subservient to any of these undemocratic Eurosoviet (EU) clowns, who decided they don’t need to pay income tax because as unelected elitists they’re better than us.
I think for us the public there is not much to think of. We can only judge these people on their work in retrospect. I don’t think there is one European out there who was able to vote for the nominees.
Reading through this extraordinary offer as proof Junker is fit for purpose is laughable.
Guess who Lord Jonathan Hill of Oareford is? Well, he was once upon a time leader of our House of Lords, always a staunch Conservative, pro heavy austerity measures on the poor, once Lord of the Privy Seal. But most importantly of all, was Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Know who is the beneficiary of the Duchy of Lancaster, why, David Cameron’s family member, the Queen of England.
Here is a little, and I mean little, as it is hidden and very secret, about the Duchy of Lancaster.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duchy_of_Lancaster
Investigation into possible fiddles by these Duchy’s.
http://www.bowlandcentral.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-28867.html
Do you really believe this man will have any financial interests in the people of Europe and their lifestyle or what happens to them? If you do, then you are truly deluded. All these people know about are the serfs who must work from morning to night to deserve to eat.
And Juncker wants to be in on the act. Just like Blair. Rue the day this man takes up his place next to the unelected hypocrite that has been give the European position he has.
Then if you look at Juncker’s own remarks you see how closely he is connected to the same old stranglehold of freedom removers called ‘political correctness.’ The sham of it must be a woman who takes the posts, no matter her ability or electiveness, all the better to eat you with. Remember the outgoing Baroness Ashton, the social worker trained stooge who helped the IMF takeover of Ukraine. And it’s all done under the guise of ‘equality.’ Do you really believe those associated with the rule of Monarch and its tentacles believe in ‘equality.’ If you do, dwell for a moment on how far these tentacles have now reached in order to keep Britain in this EU. Could it be this is the reason Dave and his crew are threatening to pull the UK out of the EU. Remember, Farage, is a man funded by the British House of Lords and with whom the Conservatives are now telling us they may jump into bed with at the next election. Something I wrote would happen over two years ago. And who is behind that funding I wonder? Could it surreptitiously be connected, like this new Lord, to the Duchy of Lancaster? Mmmmmm, food for thought there. How is it so many of the British House of Lords dwellers end up with their fingers in the European pie of equality. That unelected body of Britishness carried over from the Kings of the middle ages. They remain with vast lands from Scotland to the base of Cornwall, through those guarded Duchy’s of Lancaster and Cornwall. Which is why they are fighting so hard for Scotland to remain beholden to the Houses of Parliament and the Lords. The Queen and the heirs want to keep their dominance of those people they’ve left in dire poverty for centuries.
Beware of this group of European leaders they are planning expansion and it will be unstoppable. The Ukraine is only a taster. And the objective is not to raise our collective standard of living at all. It is to increase their own income further. The appointed stooges knowing they too will fill their pockets accordingly when they tag along with their masters manipulations.
Here is a clip from an old film you should all watch about a man called Thomas More. Who faced the same betrayal of heads off when he opposed his dear friend King Henry VIII.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9rjGTOA2NA
In Switzerland we dont really care who sits in our executive because in Switzerland we have a understanding that the executive positions are shared according to the political support that a party has from the people, and another reason why the individual sitting there is not that important to us is because at the end of the day whatever they decide we the people with the direct democratic powers of referendum and initiative can reverse if ofcourse it is the will of the people to do so. We Swiss take pride that our country is ruled from the bottom up and not top down as in some other European countries. We wish those of you that will live under the rule of the EU commission all the best.
@ S.K.
Your fortune lies, not only in the absolute fact you were born into, or live in, a true democracy. One that is so basically, as you write, ruled from the bottom up. As democracy is supposed to do, but, most of all in your understanding of the good fortune you have by knowing the benefit of such a privilege. Most who come here, sadly, have little understanding of what democracy on such a level is, let alone what it means to the ordinary man in the street to have it. It means they rule parliament, rather than parliament rules them. But many, like children, want to cling to the sanctuary of a kindergarten rather than face up to the reality that the revered parents (leaders) are a bunch of gangsters out to pick their pockets rather than cover them with kisses at bedtime.
Which of course is what these snakes rely on to keep them in office.
Why is regulation of medicines being moved from the DG for health to the DG for industry?
That seems bizarre.
What do YOU think of the new Juncker Commission?
Dunno. It seems balanced to me, but only time and will tell if they provide or not. I’m looking for LEFT-RIGHT-MERKELists ratio. In short, I would like to see more new approach to several problems and less Merkel’s austerity.
What do I think of it?
Undemocratic, unelected, illegitimate, who-on-earth-are-these-people…
No one but our own national politicians should be allowed to vote on laws and/or make policy for our country. Sick of eastern and southern European politicians constantly demanding we give them more money (aka ‘solidarity’ which is easy to ask for if you’re on the receiving end).
And I’m sick of your attack to the southern nations. Just go and see our national budgets and realize how much we pay in interests of your so called solidarity. Your country make us borrow money from you and robs us with its interests and you’re still upset with your situation? You’re nothing but a bunch of nationalists, xenophobic people that enslaves all the other countries financially. And if we try to debate solutions for a more equal and just Europe you grumble and try to raise havoc instead of having a democratic discussion. If EU is so undemocratic and your country is so awesome, then why don’t you just leave EU? Maybe your country is the undemocratic one. so sick of you people…
“Your country make us borrow money from you”
ROFL at that one………
Anyway, the issue Marcel is on about isn’t governmental borrowing, it’s the free handouts which is the EU robbing from the rich (responsible) countries and giving it to the poor (irresponsible) countries
@Paul X you’re just another brain dead person. I’d would say with 99% certainty that you are english. Only they are as brain washed as you are, in great part due to your media which in other countries is categorized as tabloids. I guess you didn’t check what I asked you to check which was how much money the poor, irresponsible countries pay to the northern awesome countries in interests. And while you are at it why don’t you check what measures we were forced to take while troika was here (Portugal). What you called solidarity we call austerity and we are the irresponsible ones…lol.
If you want to know my opinion we should never have entered EU or at least joined the euro, simply because we weren’t ready for such a strong currency. We shoud never have joined a single currrency without a bank union, a political union and eurobonds. All that we are now is a market for countries like yours to take over and end our factories. But I digress…
@Pedro Pereira
How on earth did a man with known issues concerning alcohol like JCJ get a job in the first place?
As regards the forum question I think his Commission is an impressive exercise in diabolical pro-EU fanaticism:
He’s chosen an inexperienced pro-communist viz. Ms Mogherini as the EU foreign policy chief.
He;s created a new tier of bureaucracy/subterfuge with his cabal of ‘super-commissioners’.
He’s appointed a financially illiterate Brit to oversee the banking sector – a very astute posting I might add – Lord Hill will get all the flack for NOT implementing pro-EU-currency banking restrictions further distancing the UK from the EU.
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Oh, BTW when one or two EU beggar nations [where do you hail from again?] stop taking money from the Northern net contributing EU nations and too reduce their endemic levels of corruption and additionally drop their pretentious, protective, postulating, pride-full disdain for legitimate [albeit uncomfortable for the likes of you] criticism then maybe in a generation or two or three when you’ve overcome certain negative cultural predilections then maybe such criticism may attenuate to the point of nihility.
if you had it bad with Barroso, Juncker will be the same or even worse. Servicing the banking system as it’s showing already by nominating Moedas, a Goldman Sachs employee. The EU will be a slave to the finance and the TTIP agreement. See Europe in the game vs Russia? Russia does anything they want with this Europe, and with Juncker it’ll be worse.
See this video to see what JCJ is all about: disrespect
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yFsFT9hG-c
NOTHING!
@Pedro Pereira- Hi,
Aren’t you personalizing the EU-criticism against its flawed system too much? This whole political “EU- Insurance” project which aims to assist to uplift the poorer EU nations was a noble one, but had to go hand in hand with “robust internal & external control mechanisms”, clear financial specifications, benchmarks, milestones & checks, ‘consequences’, penalties & prompt implementations of all that’. Article 50 in the Lisbon Treaty deals with ending ones membership.
Have you proof that any ‘receiving EU-Member’ is/was ever forced to “invest- waste” the member countries funds in unproductive ventures- having no real value or not bringing a return of more employment and greater exports to boost its economy/GDP? These leading politicians are the wheeler’s & dealers and would know- why not force them to account for that?
Understand, the real criticism is leveled against the EC/EU/US/global Corporatism who are the masterminds- they ultimately should carry the full responsibility and be accountable to all voters. The whole system has become too big, complicated & messy! The voters are just lured ever deeper into the corporate jungle!
Besides being the ‘EU’- it is also a welfare organization providing humanitarian aid
and assistance to more than 122 million people in over 90 countries beyond the EU borders- says the EU.
In March 13 – “The EU executive requested an extra €11 billion, with Lewandowski insisting that otherwise the EU executive would run out of money before the end of the year.” In Sept 13- big spender budget chief Janusz Lewandowsk calmed down- accepting the EU only needs an extra €3.9 billion if it is to pay its bills in 2013- feeling vindicated for the EU Commission’s demands for more resources!
2011 figures showed from the total 28 (“only”) 9 are DONOR members. The rest of 17 are all recipients, while Cyprus & Malta are near ~neutral. They are by size & order of contributions:
Germany, UK, Italy, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Austria & Finland (9).
Cyprus and Malta are more or less neutral. The biggest recipients are: Poland (‘Donald Tusk’), Greece, Hungary, Spain, Belgium, Romania…..last is Ireland (17).
How many more ruined countries can the EU system stomach?
The EC’s published budget 2014-2020 showing some hope of future restraint:
http://www.euractiv.com/video/parliament-approves-eus-2014-2020-budget-307322
Please note the remark made by Lino Galveias (TTIP) & JH:…….. “Why is regulation of medicines being moved from the DG for health to the DG for industry?” ………..“Health” is and will further be privatized & industrialized- it will become a commodity. Like they did with the postal service, electricity, water & sewerage! Next will be the air we inhale & the sun we enjoy!
Are we not regressing to a previous toxic feudal system- like still partly prevalent in England’s HM Duchy’s. The only difference- the future owners is global corporatism & the 1% cold – not royal blooded!
@EU Reform-Proactive
You are making one very big mistake. This is not a court of law, it’s a political internet debate about the political leadership we are being asked to openly offer what we ‘feel’ on its current leadership and the way it is moving us forward.
You don’t have to give evidence for what you ‘feel’ and ‘believe’ to be. It is good to be openly informed in order to have those feelings accepted as logical but as ‘evidence’ is often secret in the machinations of government one can only rely on instinct or ‘feelings’ about what is taking place. Evidence in politics is another matter entirely. Example; what one man ‘feels’ as a result of the moves he sees his leaders take is entirely different from how another may feel on the outcome of such moves. Which is why Democracy relies on the voice of the majority.
It is, as another example, evidenced where the Ukraine was pushed into a coup with the absolute knowledge and participation of the US and the EU as it went about its business. The phone calls of US and EU discussions prove that. However, the evidence of that outcome has many different ‘feelings’ regarding the it affects of the war it produced on all of us. Therefore, leadership is judged on how the public ‘feel’ in the majority about the results of such action on each citizen. Which is why every one of these so called leaders should face election and be voted as leaders by the entire citizenry in order that their opinion on the outcome of such moves can be sanctioned by us in a democrat way. And if we are in the majority not for their policies or way of ruling us, then they should be out on their ear as soon as the election is over.
It is, therefore, because the leader of this union are able to remain in a position of power, without direct election, the Direct Democracy for the people of Europe must be introduced as a process they have a right to and use. Otherwise, there is no Democracy at all on this continent. And, as such, it should refrain from referring to itself as such on the world stage.
@ Catherine Benning
………………..???????
thank you for your kind & personal advice- which has been noted and accepted as your patented brand and understanding of EU’s unique problems & criticisms!
Like in a true democracy- in a spirit of only one & as a “his honorable” UK voter!
@EU Reform- Proactive
Where is your evidence regarding your assertion that the UK is ‘more or less’ a neutral net EU contributor please?
Thank you.
PS: As regards the forum question might I point out that your first one-word sentence response to same is in fact a contradiction due to its impossibility. ;
@Tarquin Farquhar,
…..rest assured my ‘friend’ & check again- I listed the UK in “Numero 2” out of 9 position behind Deutschland! That would be a grave error indeed! Near neutral referred to Cyprus & Malta!
Clever again? Surely, I do not need to explain the understanding of the term- “thinking nothing of somebody” more in detail?…………..you actually know it!
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/think+nothing+of+someone+or+something
@EU Reform-Proactive
Unfortunately, JCJ will do something, very little of which will be to or for the good of the EU citizen.
PS: I’ll raise your ‘idiom’ with ‘irony’ perhaps?
PPS: The Lino Galveias comment is truly frightening.
@EU Reform- Proactive
You are correct regarding your net EU contribution assertion – I failed to see the full-stop at the end of the sentence – it lead to my misapprehension; apologies.
BTW, you’ve placed France as the 4th biggest net EU contributor – not that I doubt your veracity old chap BUT where did you source your data regarding same please?
@Tarquin- Hi,
One must be careful with the varying numbers, the financial year, revenues, net contributions & the webpage supplying these stats.
I attach you a link showing all NET contributors & receivers up to 2012 in bill Euro. Very detailed info are best looked up at the complex original EU website itself!
http://www.eu-oplysningen.dk/euo_en/spsv/all/79/ The first four:
2013- have no stats.
2012 (1) Germany: -11,953 (2) France: -8,297 (3) UK: -7,366 (4) Italy: 5,058
2011 (1) Germany: 9,002 (2) France: -6,405 (3) Italy: -5,933 (4) UK: 5,565
Happy?
@@EU Reform-Proactive
Thanks for the stats.
Interestingly, your stats don’t quite match your initial statements re net EU contributor nations – something JCJ and his acolytes often [mal]practice.
“One must be careful with the varying numbers, the financial year, revenues, net contributions & the webpage supplying these stats.”
Incidentally when the EU imposed FISH TAX on the UK is accounted for the UK is by far and away the 2nd biggest EU net contributor.
i’d like to think that he is not a pussy and EU will start financing and arming Ukraine
No more financial havens in Europe! No to undemocratic treaties and bail outs! Juncker, go home!!!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AUOXgv8k0R4
It will not make the slightest bit of difference.
The EU elite ignored the MEP vote & will carry on as before.
Juncker is still claiming ‘This times its different’ but clearly it is not.
Same old integration policies but now with yet another layer of Juncker yes men to enforce his will on the peoples of Europe & Great Britain who rejected the European Parliament, rejected its back room deal commission president & rejected the EU experiment. .
The only thing left to do is hold our referendum & then leave the undemocratic EU.
http://www.betteroffout.net/juncker-announces-new-eu…/
Commision (& vice president) candidate Alenka Bratušek singing badiera rossa #shame https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifydoT0v3J8
Bazyli Kowalski
You ‘Europeans’ are obsessed with war, was not 2 European World Wars & over 80 million dead enough for you ?
Thank god we are leaving your madhouse.
http://www.express.co.uk/…/Bureaucrats-on-200-000-UK…
Bazyli Kowalski
You ‘Europeans’ are obsessed with war, was not 2 European World Wars & over 80 million dead enough for you ?
Thank god we are leaving your madhouse.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/509320/Bureaucrats-on-200-000-UK-should-quit-EU
What are its intentions for austerity ,workweek,wages and social rights of European citizens?
Energy minister (Spanish one) has business in Petrol Industry… I think I don’t need to speak more, do I?
@Breogán Costa
LOL!
Wasn’t the Spanish EU ‘competition’ commissioner Joaquín Almunia the chap who was chastised by the EU Ombudsman for refusing to progress anti-competition/tax-fiddling allegations against Real Madrid [of the fascist dictator fame] and Barcelona [of noble Catalunya fame]?
Such appointments are symptomatic of what may well destroy the EU – pooling democracy with countries that refuse to accept, address and annihilate endemic corruption will unfortunately result in disaster.
Waste of time and money
Just another US banker puppet.
I am happy that Mimica from my country Croatia, communist and all around shitty person didn’t get more power! This is far away from quality representation!
no changes, still Goldman-Sachs and Carlisle employes running EU for american interests, and against our interests .
I hope Scotland get its independence so UK will not easily go, not that we want it in
worst commission, yet. and the previous comments speak for itself.
Inappropriate if you take into account the euro-elections.
Josephine Cassar
The Scottish people voting for suicide will just mean Great Britian will leave the EU earlier.
i think that austerity will never end. i can foresee more trouble.
Bratušek is under any level of dignity ant anti democratic person! She also politicaly opose EU and is pro comunist agitator!
Er wird im Respekt des Parlaments den Nationalen Stolz von der sozialen Marktwirtschaft mit IT- Logistik fördern.
Europa in Nederland Waarom kunnen wij burgers niet op deze onderdeel van de EU, hun commissies etc stemmen? Wordt dat teveel gedoe?
All the listings of new commissioners are confusing; why do they go by the region they’re from rather then the department the lead??
same old hit, corrupt fat cats replacing other fats cats…
Agree with most of his choices.
Disaster.
Get out,Valdis Dombrovskis exPM of the poorest and corrupted Latvia!He should be under criminal investigation of 54 killed in Maxima-Zolitude 2013 November!
Without Valdis Dombrovskis of poorest and corrupted 1,7 mil Latvia!Get out!
EU elite will not work hard for the people, they work for lobbies, banks and of course for their own interest.
Juncker Commision_”The gang of thieves!” said Ms.Bratusek from Slovenia! And become a new comissioner! Juncker and his Commission is a Great European Disaster!Period!
We can say something, when the people’s situations become better. http://www.WWSEEP.com . Current situation – rich become richer. Poor become poorer. Unemployment is too high. EU does not care about the people. When this will be improved we can say something. Act, and then ask.
A Politburó
Only the portfolio of Belgium is certainly for that party hypocritical in combination with the principles, objectives and the role of Europe in his countries. I want to believe it, but most of all feel it. What are you as party if you only come after 10 years or maybe more…? Based on what you are going to make a difference in Europe for all Europeaan citizens? Or do jou just give the signal that your recommendations can be ignored locally? European Commission: What and where is your vision then?
As far as I seen this comission is a disaster.
Pro-austerity.
Tax cuts for the rich and more taxes on the poor.
A total neglect of environmental policies despite incredible popular demand – over 92%!!
A disaster. The political rulers of EU are becoming as detached and out of synch with the people as the american ones. This us not a good sign.
Here is the Juncker message of what he has in store for Europe and it’s people. More for those who eat off us and less for us to eat.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2755011/Pure-greed-Labour-s-fury-Britain-s-new-man-Brussels-takes-25k-ministerial-pay-despite-doubling-100k-salary.html
Lord Hill of Oareford, Juncker’s finance man, is David Cameron’s good friend. And, of course, the man who helped stack the Queens land mass during her hard times. He’s got hold of a nice little earner for his job of padding the rich mans wallet. He suited Juncker down to the ground, as we read he, Juncker looked him up on the internet just to make sure he was one of them and that they would all be in it together.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2755011/Pure-greed-Labour-s-fury-Britain-s-new-man-Brussels-takes-25k-ministerial-pay-despite-doubling-100k-salary.html
So, this should alert your ‘feelings’ as to which way the EU boat is drifting. And can we get rid of them? No, and why not? Because we have no way to vote them out of office. They are appointments.
Stand for ‘Direct Democracy’ throughout every one of Europe’s states no matter which party you support.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVECo285Q9A
Direct Democracy is the only way to go. Equality begins with the ballot box.
Ask this mr Hill how much income tax he’ll be paying… what percentage, and ask him to compare that percentage with that of any ordinary Briton with an ordinary job…
The elites in Brussels are not only unelected and undemocratic, they’re enriching themselves at our expense. This pathetic Eurosoviet Politburo (EU Commission) is a very good example of neo-Soviet behaviour.
We who love democracy and thus hate the EU can only hope the Eurosoviet Union (EU) will someday join the old Soviet Union into the dustbin of history.