Following her confirmation by the European Parliament, European Commission president-elect Ursula von der Leyen will soon have to name a new college of commissioners, with each European country vying for influential jobs.

Discussions on Commission appointments to be made by the new president will begin within days, said the French official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"We've said we would like that to reflect two of our main policy priorities," the official added, citing climate and trade as examples.