Press Release: Germany: Barroso nominated as new EU Commission President

Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schröder welcomed the nomination of Durao Barroso as the new EU Commission President: 'He believes in the European idea and is an ardent advocate of European integration,' he said. On Sunday, EU Council President Ahern announced Durao Barroso's nomination. For Tuesday evening, the Irish Council President then invited to a special summit in Brussels to arrange for Barroso to be nominated by the heads of state and government. Following the EU summit in mid-June, at which it had not been possible to decide on Romano Prodi's successor, Bertie Ahern had worked hard to find the right person to take over from him. He did not have much time for this task, since the Netherlands would be taking over the EU Council Presidency on 1st July