Barroso put under pressure to prove he is fit for Commission

By Martin Banks and David Cronin

Date: 01/07/04

MEPs are demanding that José Manuel Barroso proves his 'European credentials' before they endorse his appointment as head of the European Commission.

His nomination, confirmed at a snap summit in Brussels on 29 June, must be ratified by the European Parliament in a simple majority of votes cast.

While few observers believe it likely that the assembly would be willing to cause an institutional crisis by rejecting the Portuguese premier, many high-profile deputies are voicing doubts about his suitability.

At present, Barroso can rely on the support of only one political group, the 276-strong European People's Party (EPP-ED), to which his centre-right Social Democrat party belongs.

The next two largest groups in the Parliament - the Socialists and Liberals - are so far refusing to commit themselves on whether they will support him.

Both have invited him to appear before their groups in the week before the vote on his appointment - scheduled for 22 July.

Opposition is fiercest from the Party of European Socialists, whose president, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, said he doubts whether Barroso possesses two essential qualities: a proven European track record and a "strong belief that strengthening Europe's competitiveness is able to go hand-in-hand with social responsibility".

He also condemned the "behind closed doors" method that was used to make his nomination.

"Parliament has not been afforded the respect it deserves. It should have been given a shortlist of nominees who could then have appeared before MEPs before a final decision was taken."

The assembly's 200-strong Socialist group has written to EU heads of government asking them to look for an alternative candidate.

Liberal group leader Graham Watson described the selection procedure as "most unsatisfactory" and branded Barroso a "lowest common denominator" candidate.

He added: "Excellent candidacies were sacrificed for national egos and Barroso has plenty to prove."

Watson may call for a delay of at least one week in the vote to approve Barroso. "We need more time to get to know a candidate who is still relatively unknown in EU circles."

Green co-leader Daniel Cohn-Bendit said: "We are very sceptical about his appointment because his ideas on Europe are too much linked to America. We want a president who is strong and able to defend the idea of a social and Green Europe."

Danish MEP Jens-Peter Bonde, co-leader of a new 31-strong Eurosceptic group, does not support his candidacy. "He has a lot of critical questions to answer," he said.

Francis Wurtz, leader of the European United Left group, says he too will not back Barroso's appointment.

"His economic policies in Portugal have caused a serious recession and high unemployment and our fear is that, if this approach is transferred to an EU level, the same will happen in other parts of Europe."

But Barroso's appointment was described as an "excellent choice" by EPP-ED leader in the Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering.

A spokesman for Ireland's EU presidency, which concluded yesterday (30 June) defended the means by which Prime Minister Bertie Ahern found a successor to Romano Prodi. "I am aware there has been some criticism but everything has been done in accordance with the treaty provisions and I would point out that this is the selection procedure that has always been used," he said.

Pressure groups have given a mixed reaction to the nomination.

John Monks, general-secretary with the European Trade Union Confederation, condemned Barroso's assault on public sector pay in Portugal and alleged antipathy to social dialogue. "Barroso is not known as a friend of the Portuguese trade union movement. His liberalizing policies have been against the interests of Portuguese working people."

But Jürgen Strube, president of the Union of Industrial and Employer's Confederations of Europe (UNICE), said Barroso had a good track record on economic reform and should now prioritize the 'Lisbon Agenda' of turning the Union into the world's top economy by the end of the decade.

Environmental activists urged the Portuguese, a committed Atlanticist, not to be swayed by America's arguments against the Kyoto Protocol on curbing global warming. "His challenge will be to bring the US out of the realm of fantasy and into the real world," said Tony Long from the World Wide Fund for Nature.

José Manuel Durão Barroso, must prove his 'European credentials' before MEPs will endorse his appointment as President of the European Commission. Mr Barroso has been invited to appear before the Socialist and Liberal groups in the European Parliament in the week before the vote on his appointment - scheduled for 22 July 2004.