Second EU nominee falls

The European Commission has lost a second designate commissioner, as Latvia's nominee was pulled out yesterday. The development follows the resignation of Italian Rocco Buttiglione over the weekend.

Latvia was asked to withdraw Eurosceptic Ingrida Udre by the Commission's president designate José Manuel Durao Barroso.

Ms Udre, commissioner designate for tax and customs policy, was among four or five nominees with question marks hanging over them, either because of alleged conflicts of interest or failure to impress the European Parliament.

Latvian Prime Minister Indulis Emsis told reporters that the Baltic state was instead nominating Andris Piebalgs, who worked in Brussels as the number two under Latvia's first commissioner Sandra Kalniete.

"After long discussions we decided that the Latvian candidate will be Andris Piebalgs. It was a unanimous decision of the government," he said.

Barroso had sent an official letter to the Latvian government requesting a new candidate.

Latvia, a small Baltic former Soviet state, joined the European Union together with Malta last May.

Meanwhile, sources close to the Commission told The Times that Mr Barroso might be able to announce his new team during the EU Summit to meet over the next two days in Brussels.

There is expected to be a reshuffle in some portfolios although Maltese commissioner designate Joe Borg should remain in charge of fisheries and maritime affairs.

It is not clear yet who Italy's new man will be, although the current Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini, is being mentioned for the post.