EU to decide top two jobs

EU leaders will meet at a special summit to choose the two top European Commission jobs for the next half decade Ð the EUÕs next foreign policy chief and the president of the European Council

High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Federica Mogherini: Italian foreign minister, aged 41, (above left) is front runner for chief diplomat. Social Democrat is one of only five female nominees for 28-member commission. PolandÕs backing of rival nominee, centre-right foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski, 51, (centre) could open way for compromise candidate such as BulgariaÕs Kristalina Georgieva, 61

President of the European Council

A north-south, east-west campaign to head the council of 28 national leaders pits Danish prime minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, 47, (left) against two former premiers of Baltic states, LatviaÕs Valdis Dombrovskis, 43, (centre) and EstoniaÕs Andrus Ansip, 57, (right). Also eligible are PolandÕs prime minister, Donald Tusk, 57, Irish prime minister Enda Kenny, 63, and Jyrki Katainen, 42, former Finnish prime minister

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AUG
SEP
OCT
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DEC

Jul 14-17: Jean-Claude Juncker elected as Commission President

Aug 30: Council President and foreign affairs chief chosen

Sep: Juncker proposes list of Commissioners

Oct 20-23: MEPs vote to approve or reject new Commission College

Nov 1: Commission takes office

Dec 1: Council President and foreign affairs chief take office

Sources: EU Observer, euractiv.com  Pictures: Associated Press, Getty Images