Jose Manuel Barroso gains majority approval by European Parliament to head next Commission

The vote had been postponed from the first Plenary of the new European Parliament in July and in the intervening time Barrosso had published details of his political priorities for the forthcoming five years.

The details of the vote were:

In favour:382

Against:219

Abstentions:117

Total votes cast: 718

Barroso’s second term as President had already been endorsed unanimously by the EU heads of State and heads of Government at the European Council meeting in June. However, his record over the last five years had created hostility from many in the European Parliament, particularly those on the left and in the Greens. This hostility had led to the decision not to have a vote on the re-appointment of Mr Barrosso in July. Those most opposed to the re-appointment had hoped to delay the vote on the President until after the referendum in Ireland on the Lisbon Treaty due on October 3 2009. This was because if the Lisbon Treaty is unblocked by a yes vote in Ireland, then European Parliamentary assent for the next president of the Commission would require a majority of MEPs not just a majority of those voting. Blocking the reappointment of Barroso was thought to have been much more likely given the political balance of the current European Parliament. In the end the majority voting for Barroso exceeded the number required under the provision of the Lisbon Treaty.

The political priorities published by Barroso had already responded to some of his critics in the European Parliament, and he had met many of the political groups to outline these priorities. In his presentation to the plenary Barroso on the day preceding the vote he went further and outlined some new details of how his priorities would be implemented.

He promised:

 a new Commissioner for justice and fundamental rights
 a new Commissioner for security, internal affairs and migration
 a new commissioner for climate action, and,
 a new post of a “Chief Scientific Advisor”

He also outlined how a reform of the EU budget would look at both the expenditure and the revenue side and be based upon solidarity, cohesion, raising own resources, and responsibilities. He would also be requesting the European Investment Bank to examine innovative e sources of finance.

Additionally he proposed a to work on a Women’s charter in the build up to the fifteenth anniversary of the United Nation Women’s Beijing Conference.

He also expressed his shock over the unethical behavior that led to the financial crisis and committed to urgent action against bonuses. He went on to promise a better working relationship with parliament including regular meetings with leaders of the political groups and an annual meeting between the chairs of all the committees of the EP and the college of Commissioners ahead of adoption of the Commission annual work-plan.

The response by the MEPs to Barroso’s presentation highlighted the majority that then assented to his re-appointment. Those on the political right were forthcoming in the praise of Barroso whilst those on the left highlighted his track record and his close association with the process of liberalization which these critics cited as the cause of the financial crisis. An eloquent and leading exponent of this view being the MEP Daniel Cohn-Bendit from the green group. The leader of the Socialist group Martin Schulz also strongly derided the track record of Barroso.

However, some members of the Socialist group, notably speakers from Barroso’s native Portugal, spoke in favour of his candidature. Those on the right, including those in some Eurosceptic and nationalist groups also spoke in favour of Barroso’s reappointment despite voicing reservations. This led many speakers to note the irony in the contrast between the political priorities outlined by Barroso and the political tenor of the support he would receive in his approval vote.

Now that Barroso has received assent of the European Parliament he will begin the process of assembling his college of Commissioners and the delegation of dossiers and responsibilities. Member States will indicate their desired choice for Commissioner but as Barroso made clear it wil be up to him to negotiate and then present his college back to the European Parliament. Each Commissioner will undergo a hearing in the European Parliament before a vote is taken on whether they should be confirmed.