The European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso today (October 3) accepted the nomination of Baroness Ashton of Upholland as successor to Peter Mandelson, the member of the Commission responsible for trade, Peter Mandelson.
The announcement came within hours of denials to journalists by the European Commission spokespersons services at the regular midday briefing.
According to a Commission statement, Mandelson resigned to accept the invitation by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to join the government. President Barroso decided to attribute the trade portfolio to Catherine Margaret Ashton, Baroness Ashton of Upholland, PC, an economist by training, who was until now a Labour member of the UK House of Lords, Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Council. The Commission statement said that in 2008, she was responsible for the successful passage of the Lisbon Treaty in the House of Lords.
According to reports in the British press, Cathy Ashton, as Leader of the House of Lords, has been a vocal supporter of gay rights and has guided some key pieces of legislation through the upper chamber.
Moreover, the Prime Minister of the UK not only strengthened his position in the current dipping popularity charts but also avoided a by-election which would have been necessary if he had appointed a Member of Parliament instead of the Baroness Ashton.