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The result of the
election for the Commission President was clear - 382 votes for,
219 votes against and 117 abstentions. A majority of MEPs voted to
support Jose Manuel Barroso. The Commission President looked
relieved to have been elected. Members of the the EPP, Liberals and
new European Conservative and Reformist groups gave him a standing
ovation. The Socialists and Democrat Group, Greens, GUE did not
clap and sat quietly. The division between left and right in the
chamber is not surprising considering the results of the European
Elections in June where the right won. It would appear that the far
right and eurosceptics also voted against.
In his acceptance
speech he thanked the EPP group for lending their support at their
Warsaw Congress and for backing his programme. He also thanked the
Portuguese Prime Minister, Socrates, for his support. He took the
opportunity to say that his party was Europe and that the
integration of Europe was needed. He said he had a special
duty to citizens and that his programme was for a stronger Europe
for freedom and solidarity. He was determined to work with all
members. It is clear that the new Commission President is a
committed pro-European who has support of the right and liberals of
the house. If he is to work with all members he will need to work
with the left of the house too.
Now Commission
President Barroso must put his new team of Commissioner together.
No matter what happens in the Irish Referendum, a new Commission
should be in place by the end of the year. Who will be the new
faces and what will be their portfolios? Who will stay and who will
go? Will there be controversy over nominees? Will the
hearing process be even more open and transparent? Who will get the
top posts? There are many questions which must be going through the
re-elected Commission President's mind. One thing is certain- that
the Parliament will have an interesting few months ahead as we
listen to the programme of the Commission in more detail. The work
of MEPs in preparing the hearing process will be essential. Lets
get on with the job of scrutinising the new Commissioner
candidates.
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Editorial - September 2009
