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Following the re-election of José Manuel Barroso at the head of the European Commission for the next five years on, September 16 by the EU Parliament, the outline of the new Commission is excepted to be established at the end of October. However, sources in the European Commission indicated that the 27 commissioners may stay on as “caretakers” until the end of the year because of possible delays in ratifying the Lisbon Treaty in the Czech Senate.  Below a short status update on the relevant Directorates General (DG) for hydrogen and fuel cell stakeholders.

Enterprise and Industry

Günter Verheugen (PES/Germany) will  retire as Industry Commissioner and another German MEP, Günther Oettinger will be at the head of the DG ENTR.

The current minister-president of Baden-Württemberg is a surprising choice as he had not been thought to be among the leading candidates for the post and he’s not recognized at the international nor European the level. Oettinger who has a law and economic background and a member of the governing Christian Democrats (CDU), is regarded is as an expert on tax policy.

Regional Development

In September 15, three new commissioners have been temporary nominated until this autumn, as their predecessors have been elected at the European Parliament. Pawel Samecki (Poland) is the new temporary Regional Policy Commissioner; Janusz Lewandowski should take over  in November, while Algirdas Šemeta (Lithuania) will be responsible for Financial Programming and budget and Karel De Gucht (Belgium) will have Development and Humanitarian Aid portfolio.

Transport

Antonio Tajani (EPP, Italy) is expected to be reappointed at his position. However, Czech Republic has also expressed an interest in securing this portfolio.

Environment

Stavros Dimas (EPP, Greece) is standing for reappointment, though it is likely that the high-profile environment portfolio will go to a big country, possibly the United Kingdom.

Climate Change

Mr Barroso has confirmed his intention to create a new a new post of climate commissioner, but he said climate policy could remain part of the environment directorate’s remit. No decision on whether DG environment’s climate policy portfolio should be transferred to a new, enlarged European Commission department on energy has been taken, commission president José Manuel Barroso told Green MEPs on Wednesday 10 September 2009.

However, it remains to be seen which specific directorates will fall under that remit, besides those currently under the environment portfolio. A big country may expect to be awarded this new brief.

Energy

Andris Piebalgs (ELDR, Latvia) may leave due to changes in the national political context, however no candidate has (officially) been appointed.

Internal Market and Services Commissioner

Charlie McCreevy (UEN, Ireland) will step down. As candidates, observers have named former Irish Minister John Bruton (EPP), former EP President Pat Cox (ALDE), Health and Family Minister Mary Harney (ALDE), Transport Minister Noel Dempsey (UEN) and Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, a member of the EU Court of Auditors.

Nomination of a Chief Scientific Avisor

Following in the footsteps of Barack Obama, a chief scientific advisor is expected to be appointed in order to assist the incoming EU executive in making tough decisions on everything from GMO authorisations to addressing climate change. This position forms part of a major reflection inside the Commission with the view to re-organise its directorates in charge of science, research and innovation.