The list, which must be approved by the European parliament, also includes a woman who picks up a portfolio focused on climate issues.

The European Commission handles the money -- a 116-billion-euro (174-billion-dollar) budget for 2008 -- for the 27-nation bloc, home to half a billion people and the world's biggest trading entity. It proposes and enforces laws from Portugal in the west to Poland in the east, and Finland in the north to Greece and Cyprus in the southeastern Mediterranean.

MICHEL BARNIER (FRANCE) -- Internal Market

A member of French President Nicolas Sarkozy's right-wing UMP party, the former agriculture minister wins his second term as a commissioner, having previously been in charge of regional affairs between 1999 and 2004. Easily the most controversial appointment Barroso made, his nomination followed a flurry of late-night telephone diplomacy led by Sarkozy from Brazil which succeeded in heading off a concerted campaign by Britain to prevent control of the City of London -- home to 80 percent of Europe's financial services industry -- falling into the hands of the French, who are desperate to rein in bankers they see as responsible for Europe's deepest recession since World War II.

OLLI REHN (FINLAND) -- Economic and Monetary Affairs

Previously in charge of dealing with countries led by Croatia, Iceland and Turkey who want to join the EU club, the 47-year-old Finn is noted for his disecretion and sense of humour. Overlooked for the prestigious new post of foreign affairs supremo (see below), Rehn's compensation would have been prized by the opposition in Britain. But with member states running massive deficits since the financial crisis and long-term debts mounting, he faces a tough task to rein in national spending.

KAREL DE GUCHT (BELGIUM) -- Trade

Belgium has already pulled one rabbit out of the EU hat with the nomination of Herman Van Rompuy as the bloc's first full-time president. This 55-year-old liberal will lead negotiations with India and various southeast Asian states and Canada on free-trade accords potentially worth many billions of euros each year. He will also lead the EU's engagement with the Doha round in World Trade Organization talks towards a new global pact. A former foreign minister, he memorably provoked a diplomatic crisis last year between Belgium and former African colony, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

JOAQUIN ALMUNIA (SPAIN) -- Competition and vice-president

A 61-year-old socialist, Almunia will be a key pillar in Barroso's second five-year term. His new portfolio is one of the most coveted, as it wields one of Brussels' most feared instruments -- powers over anti-trust and cartel issues which have targeted some of the world's biggest businesses such as Microsoft and resulted in billions of euros (dollars) of fines. A lawyer and economist by training, Almunia's last job was running economic and monetary affairs, the EU's budgetary watchdog.

CONNIE HEDEGAARD (DENMARK) -- Climate

A 49-year-old woman acknowledged as a specialist in a domain which will only grow in importance as the EU tries to make the switch to a low carbon economy, her primary role will be to prepare negotiations between Brussels and international partners on a global treaty aimed at reducing polluting emissions and minimising the dangers of global warming. The new portfolio created by Barroso underlines the importance attached to the role. Hedegaard was formerly a journalist.

CATHERINE ASHTON (BRITAIN) -- Foreign Affairs and first vice-president

The 53-year-old former trade commissioner and leader of Britain's unelected House of Lords was the surprise pick last week as the EU's inaugural foreign affairs supremo under the reforming Lisbon Treaty, which enters force on Tuesday. Her choice has elicited cries of 'Cathy who?' from sceptics who say she has no diplomatic experience. Participation during her youth in an anti-nuclear, far-left movement has also triggered derision from Britain's opposition conservatives, expected to take power next year.

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