Julian King nominated as UK commissioner, faces Juncker grilling

British diplomat to be interviewed by Commission president.

The U.K. officially nominated Sir Julian King, its ambassador to France, as the country’s new European commissioner on Friday, and he will be interviewed for the job by Jean-Claude Juncker on Monday.

The nomination of King had been expected. He is slated to replace Jonathan Hill, who announced in the wake of the Brexit vote that he would step down from his post as finance commissioner. His last day in the job will be July 15.

The finance portfolio will be taken over by Valdis Dombrovskis, vice president for the euro and social dialogue.

It has yet to be determined which portfolio will be given to King, if he is confirmed in the role. Cameron has been pushing for an environment portfolio, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Juncker and Cameron agreed last week during an EU summit that the U.K. should name a replacement for Hill in the Commission until the Brexit process is complete.

“The purpose of the interview will be to determine the candidate’s ability to serve as a European commissioner, particularly in light of Article 17(3) of the Treaty on European Union, which states that: ‘The members of the Commission shall be chosen on the ground of their general competence and European commitment from persons whose independence is beyond doubt,'” the Commission wrote in a press release.

King, who worked as chief of staff to former British trade commissioner Peter Mandelson, was proposed by Cameron, according to EU officials. The choice will have to be confirmed by the European Parliament, whose members held an at-times testy debate Tuesday on the fallout from Brexit.

“Sir Julian King is an experienced diplomat, he’s got particular expertise in European affairs and the prime minister thinks he will make a strong addition to the Commission,” Cameron’s spokeswoman said Friday.