EU members gave the go-ahead Monday for the formation of a 27-strong European Commission without a representative from Britain, which plans to leave the bloc. Meeting in Brussels, ministers from the remaining 27 capitals endorsed commission president-elect Ursula von der Leyen's line up for the EU's executive arm.

"This paves the way for the vote of consent in the European Parliament on the entire Commission as a body," the European Council of member states announced. Von der Leyen's commission will now be presented to the European parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, and remains on course to take office on December 1.