Kroes confirmed as Dutch European Commissioner, report says

Nov 24, 2009, 14:12 GMT

The Hague - The Dutch government has confirmed outgoing European Commissioner Neelie Kroes as the country's candidate for the next European Union executive, Dutch news agency ANP reported Tuesday.

As competition commissioner, 'Steely Neelie' has earned a reputation as the most powerful woman in Brussels after launching anti-trust inquiries into major international corporations such as software giant Microsoft and computer chipmaker Intel.

It remains to be seen whether Kroes will hold on to her current job. Spain is also believed to be vying for the influential post.

The Dutch decision came on the same day that Italy, Denmark and Malta also announced their choices for the new team to be headed by current European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

He is expected to start work on assigning portfolios in the coming weeks. The 27-member commission will then have to be endorsed by the European Parliament, with hearings due to start in January.