Incoming EU executive chief Jose Manuel Barroso said Thursday he had switched the portfolios to be held by the Hungarian and Latvian commissioners in response to concerns raised by EU lawmakers.

In a direct swap, Hungary's Laszlo Kovacs will now take the tax and customs portfolio while Latvia's newly nominated commissioner Andris Piebalgs will take charge of energy, Barroso told a news conference.

Unveiling a new line-up for the European Commission, Barroso acknowledged EU deputies' doubts about the competence of the former Hungarian foreign minister for the complex energy brief.

"I know that the performance of Mr Kovacs during his (confirmation) hearing raised concerns at the European Parliament. There were concerns about his expertise in energy and the level of his preparation for that hearing," he said.

"So I am giving him a new portfolio, which is more linked to his experience as a politician. I think he can do a good job in the new portfolio I have assigned to him."

Piebalgs, a former Latvian ambassador to the EU, was Tuesday put forward by his government after its initial nominee, Ingrida Udre, received short shrift from the European Parliament for professing to a "healthy euroscepticism".

"He has wide ministerial experience and knows European Union policies across the board," Barroso said.

"His scientific education will be a significant asset to make a success of this important policy."

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