De Gucht (pictured) moved from foreign affairs to the Berlaymont in July this year, taking over from Louis Michel in charge of Development and Humanitarian Aid. In the new Commission, which, pending approval by the European Parliament, will begin its term in 2010, De Gucht will be one of seven vice-presidents: the others hold the portfolios of justice and human rights, competition policy, transport, digital affairs, industry and institutional relations.

But aside perhaps from competition, where the Commission has the power to fine offending companies, trade is the most important job a commissioner can hold. The EU was founded on trade cooperation, and the Commission speaks for the 27 member states in world trade talks. Whereas the new president of the European Council may not “stop traffic” in Washington or Beijing, they always know when the trade commissioner, representing 500 million people and GDP on a par with the US, comes calling.

“Now I have the chance to really get behind the wheel instead of looking on from the sidelines,” De Gucht commented. “Trade is an extraordinary responsibility; I take part in international negotiations on behalf of the member states.”

Former prime minister and fellow liberal Guy Verhofstadt welcomed the news, saying: “De Gucht has the ability to do the post of trade commissioner justice. As foreign minister, he of course gained the experience. Now he’s part of the team that has to find the answers to the world’s economic and financial crisis.” Liberals hold eight of the Commission’s 27 posts, fewer than the 13 Christian- Democrats but more than the six Socialists.

The Flemish papers took pleasure in the fact that once again a Belgian politician had won a major post at the expense of their Dutch counterpart: Van Rompuy was selected over Jan Peter Balkenende, and De Gucht’s elevation came at the same time as Dutch commissioner Neelie Kroes lost competition policy to the Spaniard Joaquin Almunia. “Belgium 2, Netherlands 0” one headline read. “But this is not a contest,” Verhofstadt said. “All decisions are taken in the interests of Europe.”