MEPs approve new Commission

European Parliament has approved a new team of EU commissioners who were put forward by president of the Commission Jose Manuel Barroso. The vote passed on Thursday by 449 to 149, while 82 abstained. The revised Commission, which saw the departure of earlier nominees from Italy and Latvia, includes former Czech prime minister Vladimir Spidla, who will be in charge of the Social Affairs portfolio.

Among Czechs in the European Parliament the new Commission received approval from Social Democrat, Christian Democrat/European Democrat MEPs: Communist MEPs, and former television magnate Vladimir Zelezny voted against.