Former Baltic PM’s win top jobs in European Commission

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has announced his team of commissioners with former Baltic Prime Ministers among the list. 

Former Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis has been named as one of the Commission's six vice presidents, which also includes Frans Timmermans (the Netherlands), Kristalina Georgieva (Bulgaria), Andrus Ansip (Estonia), Alenka Bratusek (Slovenia) and Jyrki Katainen (Finland).

Dombrovskis has also been named commissioner for the euro and social dialog.

The announcement was welcomed by current Latvian Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma.

"The position offered to Dombrovskis is a respectable one," Straujuma said.

Elswehere, Lithuania's former health minister Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis has been officially proposed as European commissioner for health and food safety affairs.

Elsewhere, Britain's Jonathan Hill gets EU financial services post, while France's Pierre Moscovici has been appointed the new EU commissioner of economic and financial affairs.

"In these unprecedented times, Europe's citizens expect us to deliver," said Juncker.

"After years of economic hardship and often painful reforms, Europeans expect a performing economy, sustainable jobs, more social protection, safer borders, energy security and digital opportunities. Today I am presenting the team that will put Europe back on the path to jobs and growth. In the new European Commission, form follows function.

"We have to be open to change. We have to show that the Commission can change. What I present to you today is a political, dynamic and effective European Commission, geared to give Europe its new start. I have given portfolios to people – not to countries. I am putting 27 players in the field, each of whom has a specific role to play – this is my winning team,'' Juncker said after announcing his new Commission team today.

"The makeup of the new European Commission must now be confirmed by the European Parliament, with a vote expected in October."

Former Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip is also a vice president of the European Commission 

Lithuania's former health minister Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis has been officially proposed as European commissioner for health and food safety affairs.