Commission accepts Julian King as new British commissioner

A portfolio for the former UK diplomat is expected by the end of the month.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker accepted Julian King as the new British commissioner Monday and will give him a portfolio by the end of the month, according to a Commission spokesman.

King was nominated by British Prime Minister David Cameron to replace Jonathan Hill, the former financial services commissioner who resigned after Britain’s vote to leave the European Union on June 23.

Juncker met King in Brussels on Monday morning and is expected to assign him a lower-profile portfolio than the one previously held by Hill.

“President Juncker was able to establish Sir Julian’s European competencies. On the basis of this meeting and his biography, the president is reflecting on possible portfolios and he will announce his decision by the end of this month,” Commission spokesperson Margaritis Schinas told a press conference.

Schinas, when asked whether he could exclude the possibility that King would be a commissioner without a portfolio, said: “Yes, I’m tempted to exclude this possibility.”

Austrian MEP Othmar Karas, from the European People’s Party, said Monday: “I cannot imagine that the new commissioner receives a portfolio that could play a central role in Brexit negotiations.”

The appointment will be reviewed by the European Parliament, and must still be confirmed by the Council of EU members.

Quentin Ariès contributed to this report.

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