President Barack Obama on Wednesday will announce his pick to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by the death last month of justice Antonin Scalia, a White House statement said.

Obama will make the announcement in the White House Rose Garden at 11:00 am (1500 GMT). 

Obama's choice for the nine-member US high court vacancy is seen as one of the most consequential actions of his presidency, with the potential to tip the balance from majority conservative to liberal.