Barroso's Galacticos? The new European Commission

José Manuel Durão Barroso unveiled his new Commission on 12 August 2004 – confirming his burgeoning reputation as a deft political tactician. Barroso has crafted a carefully balanced team, which emphasises his own independence as incoming Commission president. The line-up appears to have satisfied the desire of the larger member-states for substantial Commission posts, with the key exception of France. At the same time, Barroso has ensured that commissioners from smaller countries will take on a fair share of important portfolios, such as external relations, competition policy, the budget and the internal market.

Alasdair Murray was deputy director of the CER (2000-2005).