LONDON - France has emerged as the main winner from the latest appointments to the new European Commission, the European Union's executive, which is due to assume office at the end of next month.

For although Dr Ursula von der Leyen, the incoming commission president, has tried to maintain a balance between Europe's competing geographic centres and interests, it is clear that French President Emmanuel Macron has succeeded in ensuring that his country not only landed some of the plum jobs, but also promoted others close to the French political agenda.