Barroso asks for support for ambitious mandate

European Commission president calls for commitment from EU governments and MEPs after backing from Czech prime minister.

José Manuel Barroso has asked EU governments and MEPs to support an “ambitious political programme” for a second term as European Commission president.

This morning (9 June) Barroso met Jan Fischer, the prime minister of the Czech Republic, which currently holds the presidency of the EU. Fischer said that he would propose Barroso for a second mandate as Commission president during the summit that he will chair next week (18-19 June). 

In a statement issued after the meeting, Barroso said that he was “honoured” to be asked.

But he added that his decision whether to accept a second term would depend on getting support from EU governments and MEPs. “This acceptance presupposes that the European Council and the European Parliament embrace the ambitious political programme that I will propose for Europe for the next five years,” he said.

Barroso said: “In times of crisis we need a strong European Commission and strong European Union. I believe we are not living in 'business as usual' times. We need ambition and European commitment.”

Waiting on Lisbon

EU leaders are to discuss the appointment of the next Commission president during the summit next week. France and Germany are arguing that there should only be an informal decision to back Barroso while a formal legal decision should be taken later, once the outcome of the Irish referendum on the Lisbon treaty is known. The Irish rejected the treaty last year and are planning to hold a second vote in the autumn...

Lir artikalu totalu: http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2009/06/barroso-asks-for-support-for-ambitious-mandate-/65122.aspx

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