Today is one of the rare occasions when the European parliament truly comes centre-stage in EU politics.

That is because its job this Tuesday is to vote on the new incoming European Commission, which they either have to approve, or disapprove of, en bloc. While commission president José Manuel Barroso is safely confirmed already, his 26 other commissioners have to be seen as a viable team or else they all risk falling by the wayside, which could make his position uncomfortable.

All have already been individually grilled by the parliament during their nomination hearings.

The team is expected to be approved, ending a three-month period of hiatus between Barroso’s old commission and the new model. The commission sits for five years.

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