The new 28-strong European Commission team will be announced shortly, after weeks of national rivalry over some of the most powerful jobs in the EU. Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will give the details at a news conference at 12:00 (10:00 GMT). Leaked drafts of the new line-up suggest that France's ex-Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici, a socialist, will get the plum economics portfolio. The UK's Jonathan Hill is tipped to get energy and climate. The coveted post of competition policy is expected to go to Marianne Thyssen, a Belgian centre-right MEP. Levers of power The Commission is seen as the most powerful EU institution, as it drafts EU laws, ensures compliance with EU treaties and negotiates far-reaching trade deals with international partners. It is the target of much hostility from Eurosceptics, who accuse Brussels of wasting taxpayers' money and creating too many regulations, handicapping businesses. EU officials say that having a detailed common rulebook, enforceable EU-wide, helps the single market by reducing national barriers. Mr Juncker, who served for many years as Luxembourg prime minister, is planning to appoint six super commissioners - that is, vice-presidents who will oversee key policy areas. One of them is the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, who already has the approval of member states. Finland's ex-Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen is tipped to oversee economic policy as a vice-president. He is a firm supporter of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's drive for budget discipline and debt reduction in the eurozone. Each country has a commissioner, but the EU tradition is for them to work in the interests of Europe as a whole, not to pursue national agendas. Nevertheless, each country has its own priorities and often pushes strongly to get a particular post. The UK government has made it clear it wants Jonathan Hill, a former leader of the House of Lords, to get a top economic job. Phil Hogan, a former Irish environment minister, is expected to become agriculture commissioner. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) accounts for nearly 40% of the EU budget. Parliament role The new team is expected to consist of 15 centre-right and eight centre-left politicians as well as five liberals. That roughly reflects the outcome of the May European elections. On 29 September the European Parliament will begin hearings, questioning each nominee in turn. The MEPs' approval is required for the new Commission to take office. The full list was released by the Commission press service last week - though a few names could yet change, if MEPs are not satisfied with the choices. The nominees include some commissioners nominated for a second five-year term: Kristalina Georgieva (Bulgaria), Johannes Hahn (Austria), Cecilia Malmstroem (Sweden), Guenther Oettinger (Germany) and Maros Sefcovic (Slovakia). The plan is for the new Commission to take office in early November. It will replace the Commission of Jose Manuel Barroso. Mr Juncker, a veteran centre-right politician experienced in Brussels deal-making, was given overwhelming backing from government leaders. The UK and Hungary voted against him.

• published: 10 Sep 2014
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