Nov 27 (Reuters) - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso announced on Friday the line-up of the European Union's executive arm for its forthcoming five-year term.
Following is Barroso's list of candidates who will face hearings at the European Parliament on Jan. 11-19 before the assembly votes on the Commission on Jan. 26.
MAIN ECONOMIC PORTFOLIOS
Economic and Monetary Affairs:
* Olli Rehn, a 47-year-old liberal former Finnish politician who won much respect as enlargement commissioner in the outgoing EU executive.
He served as an economics adviser to a former Finnish prime minister, although he holds no economics degree. Rehn is known as a good organiser and skilful negotiator.
His main tasks will be to enforce EU budget rules following the economic crisis, increase coordination of the bloc's macroeconomic policies and, possibly, oversee the adoption of the euro by several countries in central and eastern Europe.
Competition:
* Joaquin Almunia, a 61-year-old Spanish socialist who won praise as economic and monetary affairs chief in the outgoing Commission.
An economist by education, Almunia oversaw reforms of EU budget rules and helped to draft the Commission's response to the economic crisis.
Not a technocrat in the competition area, Almunia will face the challenge of enforcing EU antitrust and state aid rules when some governments would like to protect their national industries. He will have to ensure that state aid for banks is accompanied by restructuring programmes, a sensitive issue.
His job will involve fining companies for anti-competitive practices such as taking part in cartels or abusing a dominant position in the marketplace.
Internal Market:
* Michel Barnier, a 57-year-old close ally of French President Nicolas Sarkozy who had served as environment and agriculture minister as well as the regional aid commissioner.
France had lobbied hard for Barnier, an organiser of the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, to receive the internal market job -- which is key for planned reforms of the financial sector.
Politicians say Britain will look closely at Barnier's efforts as London tries to ensure its City financial district does not lose its clout as a result of new regulations aimed at preventing any future economic crisis.
Trade:
* Karel De Gucht, a 54-year-old former Belgian foreign minister who serves as humanitarian aid commissioner in the outgoing EU executive.
His nomination for the powerful post came as a surprise especially after his compatriot Herman Van Rompuy had been selected as the first EU president under a new treaty.
Known for strong language, he caused controversy when he criticised Congolese leaders in 2004 and when he called Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende "a mix between Harry Potter and a rigid bourgeois".
His main task will be to try to revive the international Doha trade talks and negotiate trade agreements between the EU and other countries.
Energy:
* Guenther Oettinger, a 56-year-old German Christian Democrat who had served as premier of the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg.
The nomination of a candidate from EU heavyweight Germany highlights the growing importance of energy in EU policy.
Oettinger will oversee efforts to create a common EU energy policy and negotiate with Russia if there is another gas crisis linked to its transit via Ukraine.
OTHER COMMISSIONERS:
* Laszlo Andor, Hungary: Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
* Catherine Ashton, Britain: High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security
* Dacian Ciolos, Romania: Agriculture and Rural Development
* John Dalli, Malta: Health and Consumer Policy
* Maria Damanaki, Greece: Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
* Stefan Fuelle, Czech Republic: Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy
* Johannes Hahn, Austria: Regional Policy
* Connie Hedegaard, Denmark: Climate Action
* Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, Ireland: Research and Innovation
* Rumiana Jeleva, Bulgaria: International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response
* Siim Kallas, Estonia: Transport
* Neelie Kroes, the Netherlands: Digital Agenda
* Janusz Lewandowski, Poland: Budget
* Cecilia Malmstrom, Sweden: Home Affairs
* Andris Piebalgs, Latvia: Development
* Janez Potocnik, Slovenia: Environment
* Viviane Reding, Luxembourg: Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship
* Maros Sefcovic, Slovakia: Inter-Institutional Relations and Administration
* Algirdas Semeta, Lithuania: Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud
* Antonio Tajani, Italy: Industry and Entrepreneurship
* Androulla Vassiliou, Cyprus: Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth
(Writing by Marcin Grajewski; editing by David Stamp) ((marcin.grajewski@thomsonreuters.com; +322 2876830; Reuters Messaging: marcin.grajewski.reuters.com@reuters.net))