Tonio Borg loses consumer protection portfolio

The EU Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso Barroso has indicated his intention to assign Neven Mimica, Croatia's Commissioner-designate the portfolio of consumer protection.

The portfolio currently falls under Maltese Commissioner Tonio Borg's remit. Borg had taken over the health and consumer protection portfolios after replacing former Maltese Commissioner John Dalli in November.

After the necessary consultation of the European Parliament, the Council will appoint, by common accord with the President of the Commission, the new Commissioner, which will allow him to take up his post on the 1 July 2013.

Barroso said, "I am happy to announce the Commissioner-designate from our 28th Member State, Croatia. Neven Mimica is an experienced and committed European able to make an important contribution to the work of the European Commission, in particular in the critical field of consumer protection."

Mimica is currently the Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Croatia.

The procedure for the appointment of the new Commissioner is set out in the accession treaty between the European Union and Croatia.

The new Commissioner is appointed by the Council by common accord with the President of the Commission, after consulting the European Parliament.

The portfolio of the new Commissioner is decided by the President of the Commission.