New in the EU

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso reportedly asked "What's this all about?" on learning that a state politician with an image problem was to be sent to Brussels to represent Germany.

Commentators wondered whether Berlin was sending a signal that it is no longer interested in Brussels. But other experts believe that the decision to appoint a relative unknown may not be so misguided, though much depends on which portfolio he is handed.

Oettinger's party, Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, insist he is an excellent man for the job, describing him as a political heavyweight with economic expertise.

Technical portfolios

The portfolios Germany is said to be angling for include competition, industry and enterprise, areas which cut to the core of the EU's single market policies. While Oettinger is not a familiar face in Brussels, if he gets one of these, he could quickly gain more prominence.

Marco Incerti of the Center for European Policy Studies tried to glean the German government's reasoning. "The portfolios remain fairly technical," he told Deutsche Welle, "The rules make for a commission in which the power of the president is stronger, so you need to have commissioners who can deal with the technical issues that fall within their portfolios."

Some fear Oettinger plans to defend his country's industrial interests at a time of financial uncertainty. Germany is certainly looking to protect as many jobs as possible, particularly in the car industry.

But the fact that Oettinger comes from a region with a strong industrial base does not necessarily mean he would work against the European Commission. "He could also work to protect the interests of car manufacturers, rather than workers, in which case he would be taking a stance against the German government," Incerti said.

Merkel's machinations

Oettinger's appointment has got the rumour mill turning. There are suspicions that Merkel has removed him from domestic politics out of self-interest, 'dumping' a potential rival on Brussels.

Analysts have also contrasted calls from British Foreign Secretary David Milliband for Britain to engage more actively in Europe with Berlin's decision to appoint someone to Brussels with no European experience.

But Incerti says the chancellor may be up to something else. "One could say that Germany is actually eyeing up one of the other very important positions. The name of Joschka Fischer, the former German foreign minister has been mentioned repeatedly as a possible European president or foreign minister."

Apart from his initial outburst, Barroso has been careful not to comment on Oettinger's appointment, not least because he cannot be seen at this stage to offer jobs publicly.

For now, speculation is mounting over what sort of commissioner Oettinger will turn out to be. Many believe the unproven man could well surprise his critics. He could become a solid defender of the single market with an excellent eye for economic details, they say.

Author: Nina-Maria Potts, Brussels/bk
Editor: Chuck Penfold