EU Commission line-up reported before anyone else

Reuters was way out in front with the line up of the new European Commission. When Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso named his commissioners on Nov 27, he was simply confirming the news that Reuters had been carrying for 24 hours sourced to EU officials. Reuters had nailed which country would get all the key positions, including the crucial economy and financial services portfolios and had produced a considered analysis of the appointments while others were still chasing the news. Reuters was also first with possibly the most significant appointment of all - France’s Michael Barnier as commissioner for internal markets, covering financial services. Reuters first reported that Barnier was tipped for the job on Nov 20. France’s critical views of the Anglo Saxon business model are well-known and French President Nicolas Sarkozy described the appointment as a victory for France and a defeat for Britain with its large finance industry.