New European Commission Takes Office

The new European Commission officially took office on Saturday.

The term of the European Union's executive body led by Jean-Claude Juncker will expire on 31 October 2019.

"Now it's time to roll up the sleeves and get down to work," Juncker said in a press release.

"Europe's challenges cannot wait. As of today, my team and I will work hard to deliver Europe the new start we have promised."

The new head of the Commission, aided by seven vice presidents and 20 commissioners, takes the helm at a time when the European Union has to cope with persistently high unemployment and anaemic economic growth.

Juncker told the European Parliament last month that one of the main priorities in his term will be unemployment, not just the "dreadful" level of youth joblessness but unemployment in general, and promised he would present a EUR 300B plan for investment to boost growth and jobs by the end of this year.

The investment programme would have to be approved by the European Parliament and the governments of EU's 28 member states before it could be implemented.

On Tuesday, the Commission will present its autumn economic forecast.