Strasbourg, 17/11/2004 (Agence Europe) - Speaking through their president, British Graham Watson, on Wednesday, the EP Liberals and Democrats announced their support for Mr Barroso, who, they said, "comes out of the Buttiglione affair strengthened". The ALDE Group, however, considers the future Commission cannot be approved unless Mr Barroso accepts a safeguard allowing the Parliament to obtain resignation from any Commissioner who no longer has the confidence of MEPS (see p.4).
Mr Watson told the press that Franco Frattini has inherited a complex portfolio that will be safer in his hands. Some consider he was a little vague about his political past, but this, he said, is not sufficient to give him a no vote. Andris Piebalgs has shown great qualities, he went on, saying: Laszlo Kovacs was convincing because of his European convictions and it is important that he spoke out against total harmonisation of corporate taxation. The "weak link" having been removed, the "College now has great talents", Mr Watson continued, saying that nearly two-thirds of the MEPs will vote in favour of the new Commission.
Mr Watson said the Liberals were pleased they were able to convince the EPP and PES of the need to adopt a resolution compelling a Commissioner to resign if he/she loses the confidence of MEPs. Such a provision, based on a two-third majority, would become a safeguard mechanism that would reassure Parliament, he said.
Concerning the case of the Commissioner-designate for Competition, Nellie Kroes, Mr Watson does not believe there will be a veto. He said Ms Kroes is the best qualified Commissioner-designate for the competition portfolio that the Commission has ever had. He welcomed the fact that Mr Barroso will agree to take the responsibility onto himself if there is any conflict of interest. Disagreeing with this position, the French UDF members and a few other members of the ALDE group may abstain during the vote on Thursday (see EUROPE of 16 November, p.4, and p.6 of this bulletin).