MEPs approved 26 candidates for the European commission today, enabling President Barroso’s new team to get down to business. The vote was 488 in favour, 137 against (with 72 abstaining), well over the majority required.

The vote culminates a process that began in September when the president won parliamentary support for a second term.

The new commission was supposed to take office in November 2009 but the appointment was held up by delayed ratification of the Lisbon treaty and by the withdrawal of the Bulgarian candidate after her confirmation hearing in January. Rumiana Jeleva was replaced by World Bank vice-president Kristalina Georgieva, who sat for her hearing in parliament last week.

With Mr Barroso, the new line-up comprises 27 members, one from each EU country. Fourteen, including the president, served in the previous executive. Their term lasts five years.

The Barroso II team will take office once EU leaders have formally appointed it.