EU Parliament backs new European Commission

By John O'Donnell

STRASBOURG, France (Reuters) - The European Parliament overwhelmingly approved the lineup of the next European Commission on Tuesday, clearing the way for the EU executive to take office nearly four months behind schedule.

Legislators voted 488 to 137 in favour of the 26-person team put forward by Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, a move that was widely expected after Barroso replaced one of his original nominees last month following assembly opposition.

Seventy-two lawmakers abstained.

The Commission, responsible for proposing and enforcing laws across the 27 member states of the European Union, formally begins its five-year mandate at midnight on Tuesday, a spokesman said.

Ahead of the vote, Barroso urged the 736-member assembly to back his Commission choices and laid out some of his aims.

"The broad priorities are clear: making a successful exit from the crisis; leading on climate action and energy efficiency; boosting new sources of growth and social cohesion to renew our social market economy," he said.

The Commission has far-reaching power to initiate legislation and to provide oversight of existing laws on issues ranging from mergers and acquisitions to trade, financial market regulation, economic and monetary affairs and the environment.

It consists of one commissioner from each EU member state, each of whom holds a portfolio and is expected to act in the interests of the EU and its 500 million citizens, without following any national agenda.