Greece supports France's Moscovici

President Francois Hollande formally proposed his former finance minister Pierre Moscovici to be France's representative in the next European Commission, which takes office later this year. Is no secret that Paris is angling for a major economic portfolio.

Pierre Moscovici is convinced he will have an important economic portfolio, he told Reuters, rebuffing German concerns that France lacked the budget credibility to take such a job.

During their meeting in Athens, Prime Minister Samaras presented the government's priorities for the future of Greece's economy and the actions that must be taken in short order to bolster growth and correct injustices.

According to government sources, Athens supports Moscovici's candidacy for the economic and monetary affairs position currently held by Olli Rehn.

A keen admirer of Keynesian economics, Moscovici said it was crucial for Europe to refocus on growth and jobs via higher investments.However Germany, the EU's biggest economy , has voiced reservations about France's interest in the powerful economic and monetary affairs job, given its failure to respect the bloc's deficit limits.

There has also been talk of a possible vice-presidency economic portfolio that might include competitiveness and industry but not public finances.

Le Monde daily has written that Paris is also interested in the competition commissioner job, an important economic portfolio which France has never held.