Brussels, 22/09/2005 (Agence Europe) - The president of the Socialist group of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, has written a letter to President Barroso, stating that at the Conference of the Presidents of the political groups of the EP, next Wednesday in Strasbourg, he would like to discuss with him his reaction to the comments of the Commissioner for Competition Neelie Kroes, who said that the election of Angela Merkel as German Chancellor would be "a marvellous thing for the whole of Europe" (EUROPE 9028). European Commissioners are entitled to have links with political parties at national and European level, the German Social Democrat concedes, speaking out against public support for candidates during national electoral campaigns, and regrets the fact that "instead of reminding the Commissioners of their duty of impartiality", Mr Barroso had "publicly defended" Ms Kroes's behaviour. Speaking to the press on Wednesday, Mr Barroso stated that Ms Kroes was expressing a personal opinion, and when asked about her stance that same day, Neelie Kroes told the press that "I am a politician, and I always say what I should say".