Voorstanders vrije markt op belangrijke posten EC (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The new European Commission is set to have a distinctly liberal angle as the three of the top economic posts have gone to people who favour market liberalisation.

Competition, which is arguably the biggest portfolio in the European Commission, will be handled by the Dutch Neelie Kroes who comes from the free market liberal party, WD, in the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, the Briton Peter Mandelson will take on the trade portfolio. A close ally of UK prime minister Tony Blair, Mr Mandelson is also a strong proponent of free trade and is a former trade minister.

Responsible for the internal market and financial services is the Irishman Charlie McCreevy. He has been finance minister in Ireland for seven years and is known as a free marketer.

Another interesting appointment is of Ingrida Udre to look after taxation - she comes from Latvia, a country with very low corporate tax rates.

These appointments are likely to make it harder for France and Germany to push their traditionally more protectionist agenda.

All this is coupled by the fact that José Manuel Durao Barroso will personally take charge of reforming Europe's economy.

He is to chair a group of commissioners working on the so-called Lisbon Agenda - the EU's goal of making itself into the most dynamic economy in the world by 2010.

New impetus

Announcing his commission line-up on Thursday (12 August), the new president promised the Brussels executive would give "new impetus" to the European economy.

As Portuguese prime minister, he became known for pushing through tough reforms.

The new line-up has been praised in several quarters.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, whose man in Brussels (Günter Verheugen) has been made industry commissioner and vice-president said it was a "clever decision by the Commission president".

UEAPME, the organisation for small and medium enterprises praised the decision to make the industry commissioner a vice-president as well.

"This means that the new Commission is taking the challenges of the Lisbon Agenda seriously by placing the economic issues at the very heart of the EU executive", said Hans-Werner Müller, UEAPME's Secretary General.

Wilfried Martens, President of the European People's Party, the biggest political group in the European Parliament, said he is "delighted" with Mr Barroso's commission.

"The allocation of portfolios has achieved a successful balance that takes into consideration, not only the merits of the new Commissioners, but also the complex political and geographic realities of Europe", said Mr Martens.