European Commissioner for Economic & Financial Affairs

The Commissioner for Economic & Financial Affairs is the member of the European Commission responsible for the European Union's Financial and monetary affairs, often combined with similar portfolios. The current Commissioner is Joaquín Almunia (PSE).

The current head of cabinet is Gerassimos Thomas and the current Director-General is Klaus Regling.

Economic portfolios

This position is important due to the weight the European Union has economically (See: Economy of the European Union). Although there are several economic posts in the Commission;
* Enterprise & Industry - currently Günter Verheugen
* Internal Market & Services - currently Charlie McCreevy
* Competition - currently Neelie Kroes
* Trade - currently Peter Mandelson
* Taxation & Customs Union - currently László Kovács
* Financial Programming & the Budget - currently Dalia Grybauskaitė
* Energy - currently Andris Piebalgs
* Consumer Protection - currently Meglena Kuneva

Changes

There have been suggestions from politicians such as Ségolène Royal that there should be an economic government for the eurozone, [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6357899.stm Royal v Sarkozy: The policies] BBC News] and at the start of the Barroso Commission Germany suggested an economic "super-commissioner" [ [http://www.euractiv.com/en/agenda2004/big-strike-deal-super-commissioner-french-vat-cuts-1-ceiling/article-114814 'Big three' strike deal on super commissioner, French VAT cuts, 1% ceiling] EurActiv.com] - which could see a change in this position. That idea however was dropped but the Enterprise & Industry Commissioner was strengthened in response. [ [http://www.bmbrussels.be/box_bmnewcomm.php THE NEW COMMISSION - SOME INITIAL THOUGHT] BM Brussels]

List of commissioners

*Robert Marjolin (of France) - Hallstein Commission (1958-1967)
*Raymond Barre (of France) - Rey Commission (1967-1970)
*Raymond Barre (of France) - Malfatti Commission (1970-1972)
*Raymond Barre (of France) - Mansholt Commission (1972-1973)
*Wilhelm Haferkamp (of West Germany) - Ortoli Commission (1973-1977)
*François-Xavier Ortoli (of France) - Jenkins Commission (1977-1981)
*François-Xavier Ortoli (of France) - Thorn Commission (1981-1985)
*Henning Christophersen (of Denmark) - Delors Commission (1985-1995)
*Leon Brittan (of the United Kingdom) - Santer Commission (1995-1999)
*Leon Brittan (of the United Kingdom) - Marín Commission (1999)
*Pedro Solbes (of Spain) - Prodi Commission (1999-2004)
*Joaquín Almunia (of Spain) - Prodi Commission (2004)
*Siim Kallas (of Estonia) - Prodi Commission (2004)
*Joaquín Almunia (of Spain) - Barroso Commission (2004-"2009")As Economic and Finance Commissioner; Robert Marjolin served in both Hallstein Commissions and Henning Christophersen served in all three Delors Commissions. The mandate of the Barroso Commission ends in 2009, though it may resign before then or receive a second mandate.

ee also

* Economy of the European Union
* Eurozone & Euro
* European Central Bank
* European Union Budget
* OLAF
* European Court of Auditors
* Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs

External links

* [http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/almunia/index_en.htm Commissioner's website]
* [http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/index_en.htm Official website]

References