Brussels, 15/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - Those close to José Manuel Barroso are keen to have the European Council on 18/19 June designate its candidate for the presidency of the next European Commission and to have the newly elected European Parliament vote on this candidature at its constitutive meeting on 15 July. Keeping to this timetable - in line with the conclusions of the European Council of December 2008 - is crucial if the European Union's institutional stability, political continuity and ability to act is to be assured during the second half of 2009, which will be punctuated by major international venues, said João Vale de Almeida, who heads the Commission president's private office, during an interview with EUROPE. Delaying the Commission renewal procedure in this time of economic and financial crisis and uncertainty about the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty would only make the end of the year 2009, which is “perturbed” at any rate, even more unpredictable, he said. It is important for the EU and the Commission to be seen in a “strong position” at the G8 summit early July in Italy, at the G20 summit in New York (September) and at the UN high level meeting on climate change (September), which is to prepare the Copenhagen conference in December. “That is why we say it is important to follow the European Council conclusions in December and to settle the question of the Commission president as quickly as possible, that is in June-July. We consider this to be a factor of stability necessary for the good continuation of work at European level and for the good defence of European interests at the international level”, Mr Barroso's right-hand man stressed.
The Commission has received assurance from the Czech EU Presidency that the conclusions of the December European Council will be respected “by end June”, not only regarding designation of the Commission president but also for the legal guarantees to be given to the Irish on the Lisbon Treaty. “We have no reason to doubt either the resolve or the ability of the Czech Presidency to complete this work”, Vale de Almeida said. The European Parliament, speaking through the voice of its president, Hans-Gert Pöttering, also pledged before the European Council to vote on the new president on 15 July. “The Commission considers the new Parliament after the elections will be held by this commitment”, he said.
From the time when the candidate-president is invested by the EP, he/she may begin working towards the formation of his/her future team. The number of commissioners will not be known until after the Irish referendum. If the “yes” wins, the European Council will meet end October to decide (as foreseen in December 2008) whether the Commission will continue to be made up of as many commissioners as member states. Once this decision is taken, the president-designate may present his/her new team to the European Council and the EP. “Hearings at the EP could last beyond 31 October (end of Commission mandate) which means that it will be necessary for the current Commission to remain in place a little longer so that there is no void”, Vale de Almeida said, pointing out that this was done before in 2004. The new Commission will take up its tenure depending on entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty and the final vote at the EP on the College as a whole, in line with the new treaty. If the Irish refuse the Lisbon Treaty a second time, “then the Nice Treaty will remain in force”, which means that the European Council (end October) should take a decision on reducing the future Commission, which will necessarily have fewer than 27 members, he explained.
Barroso candidate. Mr Vale de Almeida refutes the criticism whereby Mr Barroso (who, he points out, has not yet put his candidacy forward officially) would appear as the “candidate for the European People's Party” (EPP). “Yes, he is supported by his political family, but he is more than that since he has the support of three political families represented at the European Council”, he stressed, recalling that the president has already received the “spontaneous support of an overwhelming majority” of leaders, including five Socialists (Gordon Brown, José Luis Zapatero, José Socrates, Robert Fico, Serguei Stanichev) and three Liberals (Matti Vanhanen, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Andrus Ansip). Although the Socialists and the Liberals do not have a candidate “this is not Mr Barroso's fault”, Mr Vale de Almeida said, calling for Barroso not to be judged on his “political belonging but on his results and his ability to face the challenges of the future”.
Barroso method. The Head of the Private Office also defends the “Barroso method” which seeks to be “realistic” and focuses on “concrete results” in favour of European citizens, rather than cultivating idealistic visions or launching unfeasible proposals. “What we want to do is put forward good, solid proposals that have a chance of success. Our objective is not to make fancy proposals that represent an ideal world but which do not get through the Council or Parliament and which remain on the shelf. President Barroso does not want a Commission that is a think-tank or an academic body. He wants results”. (H.B./transl.jl)