Rehn shows safe pair of hands

OLLI REHN

Economic and monetary affairs

Nationality: Finnish

Political Affiliation: ELDR

Previous job: European commissioner for enlargment

Age: 47

Best quote:
“I won't say any more because I don't want him to be accused of breaking ILO conventions on child labour.”

Rehn recounts childhood memories of helping out at his father's car-parts business.

Stickiest moment:
Rehn appeared unsure when asked by Sven Giegold, a German Green MEP, what he would do to reduce economic imbalances in the EU. He first framed his answer around unemployment, and said he expects “much” from fellow commissioners Androulla Vassiliou, Máire Geoghegan Quinn and Janez Potočnik. Pressed by Giegold, Rehn muddled his way through by saying there were “background reasons” for imbalances. “I have an open mind so let's take a fresh look at this issue.” he said.

Oddest question:
Gay Mitchell, an Irish centre-right MEP, asked Rehn what Herman Van Rompuy, the president of the European Council, had meant when he said the EU economy needed to be “recalibrated”.  A bemused Rehn replied that he spoke on behalf of the European Commission, not the Council president.