Liberals are leading lights in new European Commission

12.00.00am GMT Tue 9th Feb 2010

After a long and comprehensive "interrogation" by MEPs, the new European Commission (2010-14) has now secured the necessary approval to take office - and Liberals hold key positions.

The European Commission is the EU's civil service. It serves the member states and the European Parliament by drafting laws and making sure common rules are applied by all countries.

Every five years, after millions go to the polls in European Parliamentary elections, the member states designate a candidate for the Presidency of the Commission who must be approved by the European Parliament. They then nominate Commissioners, one per country (minus the country from which the President comes).

Commissioners are the 'Sir Humphreys' of the EU. Candidates are questioned by MEPs in Committees, after which Parliament votes to approve or reject them. In the case of rejection, the member state concerned nominates a new candidate.

Tuesday's vote was 488-137 in favour. The process saw a Bulgarian candidate replaced after doubts were raised over competence and accuracy of financial declarations. MEPs also pressed the proposed Commissioners on the most important issues facing citizens today.

South West MEP Graham Watson believes that although the selection of Commissioners must ultimately be made more democratic, recent events have shown just how accountable Commissioners are to national governments and elected representatives;

"In the long run, I believe that Commissioners should be drawn directly from the European Parliament. This would give the electorate a much more direct say in the type of Commission they want to see.

"However, over the past couple of months, MEPs have given candidates a real grilling. We have shown the Commission is not some distant, unaccountable body. Over the next few years we will hold them to the promises they made."

In the new Commission, Liberal Democrats are influential. Commissioners for eight key portfolios - including Economic and Monetary Affairs, the Environment, and Home Affairs - come from the Liberal family.

After leaving the main centre-right grouping in the European Parliament, UK Conservatives have no-one to call a friend in the new Commission. This impotence is matched only by their lack of influence in national governments and European parliamentary affairs.

Watson said;

"For far too long, Labour and Conservatives have spun the lie that the Lib Dems are not a party of government. Yet Liberals again hold key positions in the EU. Whilst Cameron's Tories sit idly on the sidelines, we will be taking the decisions that put us on the road to a clean, sustainable economic recovery."