Barroso also nominated Danish Minister for Climate and Energy, Connie Hedegaard to the new ‘climate action’ portfolio. Hedegaard will host the COP15 talks in Copenhagen this December.

The new Commission must win approval from the European Parliament before it takes its seats for a term of office running until 31 October 2014. Hearings at the European Parliament will take place from 11-19 January. The final vote on the new Commission is on 26 January.