Est. 1min 27-10-2004 (updated: 29-01-2010 ) ep_plenary.jpg Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: Français | DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram José Manuel Barroso could face a vote of rejection for his new team in the European Parliament later today. The showdown demonstrates the Parliament’s resolve to reconfirm its political strength in the EU. The Barroso Commission was hit by the first real political crisis when the Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee rejected in a narrow vote on 11 October, the Italian Commissioner designate, Rocco Buttiglione after hearing his views on gay people and women’s role in society (see also EURACTIV 12 October 2004 ). MEPs have also raised doubts about the suitability of the Dutch Neelie Kroes, (see also EURACTIV 5 October 2004 ), the Danish Mariann Fischer Boel, the Latvian Ingrida Udre and the Hungarian László Kovács for the post of Commissioner. Read more with Euractiv EU-25 among least corrupt in global indexCorruption is rampant in sixty countries of the world and the public sector continues to be plagued by bribery, says a report by a respected global corruption watchdog. Subscribe now to our newsletter EU Elections Decoded Email Address * Politics Newsletters PositionsIn a debate in Parliament on 26 October, Barroso defended the candidates under attack one by one and asked the MEPs to give their vote of confidence to the college. He reminded MEPs that as Commission President, he would have the power to make any necessary adjustments, ie to demand the resignation of an unsuitable Commissioner or to reshuffle portfolios if it becomes necessary. He reminded Parliament of his team's commitment to non-discrimination, pointing to the fact that there will be eight female commissioners for the first time. In addition, Barroso announced the creation of a group of commissioners responsible for "fundamental rights, anti-discrimination and equal opportunities" under his chairmanship and the creation of a European Fundamental Rights Agency. The President designate said he would launch a programme and an action plan to combat discrimination "with particular reference to all forms of anti-semitism, racism and xenophobia". The political groups gave a mixed level of backing to the new Commission. The EPP-ED group (European People's Party, Christian Democrats and European Democrats), the largest political group accounting for 268 votes, has been in favour of the new Commission all along. PES group leader Martin Schulz has repeatedly said, including on 26 October, that the fact that the incoming Commission President has refused to reshuffle his team remains unacceptable to the socialists. The PES group has demanded a change of portfolios for the Italian Rocco Buttiglione, Neelie Kroes from the Netherlands, Dane Mariann Fischer Boel and Latvian Ingrida Udre. The socialists have 200 votes. The 88 votes of the ALDE group is expected to be decisive. The liberals have been displeased by Barroso's failure to move Buttiglione from the Freedom, Justice and Security portfolio. However, group leader Graham Watson has said that Barroso's commitment to draw up an action plan against discrimination could convince the critics within his group. He said he would personally vote in favour of the Barroso Commission. The Greens / EFA group , with 42 votes, announced on 26 October that they would vote against the proposed Commission. "This is a deeply flawed Commission," say Daniel Cohn-Bendit and Monica Frassoni, Co-Presidents of the Greens / EFA Group in a press release. The extreme left, represented by the GUE / NGL group, are also expected to use their 41 votes to oppose the Barroso Commission which they claim to have demonstrated "neo-liberal tendencies". The eurosceptic Independence and Democracy group , with 37 votes, will also oppose Barroso's team. In their view, the 'Buttiglione crisis' sums up the problems of trying to force different cultures into one. A speaker for the Union for Europe of the Nations Group , holding 27 votes, told his MEP colleagues that Barroso was right not to step down in face of the political pressure. There are also 28 non-attached MEPs. But the issue does not only split the MEPS. Although Member States have remained silent in the debate, it is clear that some government leaders have their own doubts over the position of Rocco Buttiglione in the new Commission. Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt told the Belgian press that he would never accept someone with these kind of ideas in his government. And even within the new Barroso team itself, doubts seems to have arisen over the way to go ahead. According to German news sources, some Social-Democrat commissioners in the new Barroso team would have problems if the Commission only got Conservative and centre-right support. Süddeutsche Zeitung reports that, in such a case, Günther Verheugen might even consider resigning. BackgroundJosé Manuel Barroso became the President designate of the Commission (due to take office on 1 November), following a vote of confidence in the European Parliament on 22 July. Since his appointment, he has been busy negotiating with the member states about the composition of his college and the allocation of portfolios among them. The new Commissioners designate were scrutinised by MEPs from 27 September to 8 October. A final test, a vote on the college, is to take place on 27 October. Timeline If the Barroso Commission wins a vote of confidence, it will begin its term on 1 November. If rejected, Romano Prodi will head a 'caretaker Commission' until the political crisis is resolved. Further ReadingEU official documents Europe by Satellite:EP vote live Commission:Nominee Commissioners European Parliament:Barroso defends his Commission team [FR] [FR] [DE] EU Actors positions EPP-ED Group:EPP-ED Group supports new European Commission PES Group:Schulz: Barroso statement "Simply not good enough" ALDE:ALDE to consider Barroso proposals Greens / EFA Group:Greens/EFA will reject deeply flawed Commission GUE / NGL Group:Gay Rights in Europe and the new Barroso Commission (event) Press articles International Herald Tribune:Barroso risks losing vote on EU commission(27 October 2004) The Guardian:Barroso faces defeat at hands of MEPs(27 October 2004) The Independent:Defiant MEPs on course to vote out new Commission(27 October 2004) Le Monde:Les rapports entre Barroso et l'opposition libérale et socialiste se durcissent(26 October 2004) Le Figaro:La Commission Barroso joue sa survie(27 October 2004) Libération:La Commission Barroso menacée d'implosion(27 October 2004) Sueddeutsche Zeitung:Barroso ringt um seine Kommission(26 October 2004) Neue Zurcher Zeitung:EU-Kommission kämpft um ihre Bestätigung(27 October 2004) Der Spiegel:Barroso muss mit Niederlage rechnen(27 October 2004) Frankfurter Rundschau:Barrosos Kommission steht auf der Kippe(27 October 2004)
