A timeline for the appointment of a new Commission

– 18-19 June: EU leaders take political decision to nominate Barroso for a second term.
– 23 June: European People's Party (EPP) and Socialist groups appoint leaders.
– 25 June: Meeting of European Parliament political group leaders with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer in Stockholm.
– If discussions in Stockholm indicate Barroso will win backing of most MEPs in a vote on 15 July, EU leaders will take a formal decision to nominate Barroso (possibly by written procedure).
– 30 June: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe MEPs appoint a new leader.
– 7 July: EPP decision on candidate for president of European Parliament.
– 15 July: Barroso appears before the European Parliament. MEPs vote to approve nomination by a simple majority.
– End September-early October: Ireland holds referendum on Lisbon treaty.
– Once Ireland, Poland and the Czech Republic complete ratification, a decision can be taken by EU leaders to keep the size of the Commission at 27, ie, one per member state. EU leaders nominate list of commissioners.
– 29-30 October: EU summit to decide on nomination of commissioners, president of the European Council, high representative and deputy secretary-general of the Council.
– November: Hearings for designated commissioners.
– November/December: European Parliament plenary vote on European Commission and president (by absolute majority), followed by appointment by EU leaders (by qualified majority).
– January 2010. Entry into force of Lisbon treaty.(European Voice)