What Juncker team means for Singapore

ON Nov 1, Jean-Claude Juncker, the former prime minister of Luxembourg, and his college of 28 commissioners, one per European Union (EU) member state, took over responsibilities from Jose Manuel Barroso at the head of the European Commission.

This move will not only be significant for the future policy of Europe's executive institution, it will also impact on the EU's policies and relations with its partners around the world, including Singapore.

For many European observers, the most remarkable elements of this transition relate to the reinforced democratic legitimacy of the new college and a new internal structure that will reshape the way the Commission will work. Both strongly show the hand of its new president.