Jan 8 (Reuters) - The European Parliament begins confirmation hearings on Jan. 11 for candidates for post in the next European Commission, the body that proposes and enforces European Union laws.
The next Commission will be headed by President Jose Manuel Barroso, of Portugal, who last September won parliamentary approval for a second five-year term.
Barroso will lead a team of 27 commissioners, one from each country in the European Union, each of whom will hold a portfolio.
Following are brief portraits of those put forward for the top jobs. If the candidates are approved, the next Commission will take office in February. The parliament will vote on Jan. 26 and can only approve a Commission line-up in its entirety.
JOAQUIN ALMUNIA, COMPETITION
Almunia has served as commissioner in charge of economic and monetary affairs since 2004 and won plaudits for his steady hand. The 61-year-old was previously Spain's minister for public administration and employment and led the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party from 1997 to 2000. Since he has already served as a commissioner, his nomination is unlikely to be strongly contested, although his new portfolio is key.
OLLI REHN, ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS
Rehn, 47, has since 2004 been commissioner in charge of enlargement, a busy brief that saw Romania and Bulgaria join the EU in 2007, raising the number of member states to 27. A former member of the European Parliament and the Finnish Parliament, Rehn earned a doctorate from Britain's Oxford University in international political economy and was a professor of political science at the University of Helsinki.
MICHEL BARNIER, INTERNAL MARKET, FINANCIAL SERVICES
Barnier is a former French foreign minister and minister in charge of agriculture. He was European commissioner for regional policy and institutional reform from 1999-2004 and is vice-president of the European People's Party, the largest grouping in the European Parliament, giving him broad experience in Brussels. Barnier trained in business and turns 59 on Jan. 9.
CATHERINE ASHTON, FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY
Ashton, 53, was nominated as high representative for foreign affairs and security policy by EU heads of state at a summit last November, but must still be confirmed by parliament. She previously served as trade commissioner from 2008 and won praise for the firm way in which she organised and ran the complex portfolio. Ashton, a Briton, has little experience in foreign affairs and could face a sharp grilling from the European Parliament, but also has plenty of support.
DACIAN CIOLOS, AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Ciolos served as Romania's minister for agriculture and rural development from 2007 to 2008 and was previously an adviser to the ministry and a consultant on agricultural issues. The farming and rural development brief is one of the most important as agriculture takes up the largest portion of the EU's 120 billion euro ($172 billion) budget. Ciolos, 40, could be questioned closely about his ability to manage such a large portfolio.
GUENTHER OETTINGER, ENERGY
Oettinger, 56, has been prime minister of the German region of Baden-Wuerttemberg since 2005 and is a member of Germany's ruling CDU party, which is allied to the European People's Party. Baden-Wuerttemberg is one of Germany's most economically powerful regions. Oettinger, who studied economics and law, has been outspoken in the past and has limited experience in energy.
KAREL DE GUCHT, TRADE
De Gucht, 55, has served as commissioner for development and humanitarian aid since 2009. He was previously Belgium's deputy prime minister, foreign minister and trade minister. A lawyer by training, de Gucht still occasionally lectures on European law at a university in Brussels.
CONNIE HEDEGAARD, CLIMATE ACTION
Hedegaard, 49, served as Denmark's environment minister from 2004-07 and has been climate and energy minister since 2007. Hedegaard has a background as a journalist, working for national newspapers and as the presenter of a current affairs television programme. She has a degree in literature and history. Her nomination is expected to face close scrutiny. As the main organiser of last month's U.N. climate talks in Copenhagen, she was criticised by many developing countries for favouring the interests of rich nations.
For a preview of the hearings, please double click on [nLDE6061SW]; for a factbox on the Commission and what it does, double click on [nLDE6070JZ] (Reporting by Luke Baker; editing by Andrew Dobbie)