Barroso announces caretaker replacements following resignation of 4 EU Commissioners

BRUSSELS, July 1 (KUNA) -- Four EU Commissioners who successfully ran for the European elections have resigned from the European Commission to take up their seats in the European Parliament as from today 1 July.
They are Viviane Reding, responsible for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship, Antonio Tajani, responsible for industry and entrepreneurship, Olli Rehn, responsible for economic and monetary affairs and Janusz Lewandowski, responsible for budget and financial programming and the budget.
The President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso has decided to reallocate their replacements.
Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas will take responsibility for the portfolio of Rehn, Commissioner for regional policy Johannes Hahn will take responsibility for the portfolio of Reding, internal market Commissioner Michel Barnier will take responsibility for the portfolio of Tajani, and Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs will take responsibility for the portfolio of Lewandowski.
The four EU member states concerned (i.e. nationality of the Commissioner that resigned) have proposed candidates for their replacement who have now to be endorsed by the Council and the EU Parliament.
The mandate of the current European Commission led by Barroso ends in October. (end) nk.mt