Barroso, who had to work over the summer recess to put together a detailed programme for the next five years at the request of political groups in the EU assembly, announced that he will send out the text to MEPs next week, and be ready to discuss it with those who wish to do so on 8 and 9 September.
The incumbent Commission president made the statements when questioned after a meeting with visiting Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite.
Barroso's 'summer homework', as it has been dubbed by journalists, became necessary when the Socialist, Liberal and Green groups made it plain that they would not accept a short blueprint similar to the one Barroso had presented to EU heads of state and government at their June summit (EurActiv 18/06/09).
The Socialists and Democrats (S&D) in particular want Barroso to incorporate part of their EU election political manifesto. In an open letter, Martin Schulz, leader of the S&D group in the European Parliament, has formulated 11 demands for the next president of the European Commission (EurActiv 14/07/09), and his group is now expected to cross-check Barroso's delivery.
The former Portuguese prime minister, who is EPP-affiliated, is the only candidate for the position, and a 'technical agreement' between the centre-right European People's Party (EPP) and the Social-Democrats to share the Parliament presidency in the next five years, reached just between the summer recess, suggests they would be ready to support the current Commission president, if he takes stock of their priorities. No alternative formal candidate emerged during the summer recess.
Spokespersons for the political groups declined to comment on Barroso's proposed agenda, saying that they are still on vacation. Despite the fact that this week has been set aside for political group meetings, the major groups have cancelled these and MEPs are prolonging their summer break, EurActiv has learned.
