Barroso faces date with destiny

THE incoming European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso faces a trial of strength when MEPs vote on Wednesday (27 October) whether to approve his team of commissioners. Four of the five biggest political groups in Parliament oppose the appointment of Rocco Buttiglione as commissioner for justice, freedom and security. But after a meeting with the German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder yesterday (20 October), Barroso said that he was “optimistic” that a solution will be found. In a sign that MEPs will come under pressure from national governments to vote in favour of the new Commission, Schröder said that he wanted his party's MEPs to back Barroso.

After a meeting with the German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder on 20 October 2004, incoming President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso said that he was 'optimistic' that a solution would be found regarding proposed Commissioner Rocco Buttiglione who was rejected by most of the Parliamentary groups.