Solbes successor chosen

The next EU economic commissioner will be former Spanish public administration minister Joaquin Almunia, subject to his acceptance of the post.

If confirmed, Almunia will take over from incumbent EU economic commissioner Pedro Solbes who steps down to become Spain's deputy minister in mid-April.

According to El Pais, incoming Spanish prime minister Jose Zapatero has offered the post to Almunia and Almunia's aides have said he will accept.

Almunia is a 46 year old economics and law graduate who was previously secretary general of the Spanish socialist party PSOE.

He served as Minister for Labour and Social Security and then as Minister for Public Administration under the PSOE government from 1982 until March 1991.

If he accepts the role in Brussels, Almunia will take over a challenging portfolio.

He will become the guardian of the EU budget rules limiting euro governments' public debt, which were due for an overhaul in the spring but for which the timetable is now uncertain.

Recent spats over the rules have even resulted in an ongoing court case between the council of ministers and the commission, a case over which Solbes fiercely defended the commission's position.

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