Barroso gets EU leaders' blessing for second term[fr][de] 

The Czech and incoming Swedish presidencies of the EU will now start negotiations with political groups in Parliament in order to see whether a majority of MEPs are ready to support him.

A vote is expected in mid-July, but the Socialists, Greens and Liberals have started mounting a campaign against his re-appointment (EurActiv 10/06/09). Concessions to win their approval could include chairs of important parliamentary committees, according to sources familiar with the matter.

"I am extremely proud of the unanimous support that I've received from heads of state and government," Barroso said at a press conference late on Thursday, adding he had been "moved" by the "strong manifestation of support" he received from all EU leaders.

"I have the feeling that the work of this Commission has been recognised," he said.

Jan Fischer, the Czech prime minister whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said Barroso offered guarantees of stability in uncertain times. "Barroso got approval left and right of the political spectrum," Fischer pointed out.

"We want to avoid delays and be effective," Fischer said, adding that he hoped Barroso would be confirmed by Parliament "as soon as possible". 

The former Portuguese prime minister highlighted the fact that he had received support from left and right-wing leaders and expressed his hope that Parliament would do the same.

"Europe has to be a cross-party project,” Barroso said. "It has to be political but not partisan," he added, saying "we have to think beyond political parties".

Asked about his priorities for his second mandate, the former Portuguese prime minister said he would first focus on tackling the financial and economic crisis. Striking a deal at the UN global climate talks in Copenhagen is his second short-term priority, he said. He did not elaborate on other long-term challenges or programmes.

The leaders gave Barroso their political support, but stopped short of adopting a legally-binding endorsement for fear of being rebuffed by Parliament in its July vote. 

Diplomats said EU leaders would legally endorse Barroso by a written procedure if exploratory talks with Parliament's heads of political groups show a majority emerging in his favour. A formal vote would then take place in mid-July during the Parliament's opening plenary.

Meanwhile, EU leaders postponed until later today (19 June) a decision on the guarantees offered to Ireland in exchange for a second vote on the Lisbon Treaty, which the Irish rejected in a referendum last year. 

Ireland would favour a protocol with a legal status equal to the draft treaty, but this could re-open a wave of ratifications in some member states, with an uncertain outcome. 

European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering urged the political groups to back Barroso for a second term, but acknowledged that this was only his "personal view".

"There are differing views in the European Parliament as to the timing of choice of the European Commission president," he said. "We have to wait for the outcome of the summit to see how political groups react [to Barroso's candidacy]."

"At the moment, many groups are against the inclusion of this point on the agenda," Pöttering admitted. The Parliament's political group chiefs "will take a decision on this on 9 July," when they decide on the agenda of the Parliament's opening plenary scheduled for mid-July, he added.

"My personal view is that we need institutional stability and a vote in July [in favour of Barroso] would be a sign of stability," he went on. A vote on the whole Commission can wait "until the outcome of the referendum in Ireland" scheduled for October, he added.

Commenting on Barroso's candidacy for a second term as European Commission president, UK Conservative MEP Timothy Kirkhope said: "José Manuel Barroso has been an effective president of the Commission and I am inclined to support him."

"However, I must insist that the decision is not deferred until later this year. Europe needs continuity based on current treaties, and any excuse to avoid confirming the president would not be acceptable," Kirkhope added. 

French President Nicolas Sarkozy defended his decision to support Barroso for a second term by insisting that it had to be taken for the sake of the EU's institutional stability, as Europe battles through its worst recession in decades. 

"I haven't seen an alternative solution that could find the same consensus," Sarkozy explained, lauding Barroso's "great political sense" and "great experience of European affairs and national member states". 

Sarkozy added that one of the fundamental "misunderstandings" surrounding his perceived criticism of the Commission is that the EU executive cannot work with 27 member states as it did with six, nine or twelve members. 

"A Commission of 27 members means smaller portfolios and that the president, from my point of view, institutionally, does not have enough authority over his commissioners. Not Mr Barroso, but institutionally.” 

"We haven't seen the full consequences of the emergence of a Commission with 27 members," concluded Sarkozy.

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and Socialist Group in the European Parliament leader Martin Schulz said they would not back Barroso's re-appointment before Parliament has had the chance to debate on the programme and policies of the next Commission. 

"We know Mr Barroso and our experience is not positive. His record on managing the crisis, on social protection, on providing leadership, is poor, but he tries to impress by talking it up. We Socialists know what we want for Europe, and will judge Barroso and his programme on that basis," said the two PES leaders. 

Schulz and Rasmussen reiterated that the Socialists would not bend to pressure for a hasty vote on 15 July. "We will plan intensive hearings once the Parliament is properly constituted," they added, stressing "it's about the future of Europe, not lip service and spin". 

The Greens also expressed their discontent with EU leaders' determination to install Barroso in July. Daniel Cohn-Bendit, co-president of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, said: "Although they fell short of formally nominating him [Barroso], their steamrolling tactics run the risk of a negative vote from the European Parliament next month."

The Greens insist it would be inconsistent to confirm Barroso as president under the Nice Treaty and appoint the other commissioners in autumn under the terms of Lisbon. 

"It is simply disingenuous to say we need to appoint Barroso now for the sake of stability, when his mandate runs to October," Cohn Bendit said, declaring that the Greens would "vehemently" oppose any vote on Barroso in July. 

The Greens also called for an in-depth debate on the president's future, based on his proposed programme.