Jose Manuel Barroso yesterday secured a commanding majority of 162 to become the next European Commission president, after winning the backing of conservatives, liberals and some socialists in the European parliament, reports the Financial Times.
The new European Commission takes office on November 1. Barroso immediately sought to set his personal stamp on a European Union executive that he said would be „strong and independent.“ Among the tasks facing his administration is to help sell the new EU constitution to a skeptical public, promote reforms to Europe’s sluggish economy, and to complete work on a new seven-year budget.
The Guardian (UK) adds that Barroso impressed observers by saying he will defy pressure from the big member states to give their commissioners coveted jobs. Germany has been lobbying for a „super-commissioner“ to coordinate all economic policy, while France would like the competition or trade portfolios. Officials say Britain would be delighted with the heavyweight internal market portfolio, which covers tax and financial services issues. „I alone will decide on the division of the portfolios to the commissioners,“ Barroso said. „That is crucial for the independence and credibility of the institution.“ He has said he is prepared to sack any commissioners suspected of poor or fraudulent behavior.
The Times (UK) adds that his announcement is likely to be welcomed by the EU’s smaller states, which see the Brussels-based executive as a guarantor of defense against domination by the bigger EU countries.
La Tribune (France) further notes that Barroso gave governments until August 20 to propose their candidates. The list of members states that have already presented their choice grows longer everyday.
The International Herald Tribune meanwhile reports that Barroso urged governments to put forward more female candidates. Women should make up one-third of the new commission he said.
The Independent (UK) adds Barroso may struggle to find two or three women from those countries yet to come up with a name, including Italy, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. Officials says that so far five or six female names have emerged, including Poland’s Danuta Hubner, Latvia’s Sandra Kalniete, Lithuania’s Dalia Grybauskaite and Sweden’s Margot Wallstrom.
Further, The European Voice (Belgium) writes that Barroso promised MEPs he would „work for a Europe which is much more than only a market: I want a Europe which is also social and cultural.“ Presenting himself as a man able to build bridges between the poor and rich member states, he also said that the Union needed to match its political ambitions with its financial resources. „You cannot have more Europe for less money. However, we must be able to show taxpayers that the money they entrust to Europe is prudently spent.“ The Guardian adds that Barroso also said eurozone budget deficit rules needed to be interpreted flexibly to ensure they did not stifle faster economic growth.
The International Herald Tribune finally explains that Barroso also said the Union should work closely with the United States because it was in Europe’s interest to „involve the United States constructively in the major issues such as the environment, combating underdevelopment and the major epidemics.“