Brussels, 18/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - During the night of Thursday 18 June in Brussels, the 27 heads of state and government of the EU unanimously gave their political support to the reappointment of José Manuel Barroso as leader of the next European Commission. However, his formal appointment to the post remains surrounded by a great many unknowns... starting with the timetable. The European Council gave a mandate to the Czech and Swedish Presidencies to start consultations with the European Parliament from next week "in order to determine whether the Parliament is in a position to approve the appointment (of Mr Barroso) at its July plenary session". Once the results of these consultations are known, the Council will then be able to formalise Mr Barroso's appointment very quickly (by duly making Thursday's political support into a legal proposal), for example using a written procedure, before putting it to the EP for its vote on 15 July, the conclusions of the summit state. Without wishing to put too much pressure on the MEPs, the Heads of State and Government made no bones about: they do not want to have to wait too long for Mr Barroso's formal appointment, and certainly not until the autumn. "We would like this to be done as quickly as possible. Any pointless delay (in the formal appointment of Mr Barroso) should be avoided" due to the current crises which demand an operational and effective EU, the president of the European Council, Jan Fischer, told the press on Thursday evening.
Everything, therefore, will depend on the consultations to be held over the coming days and weeks with the EP. The political groups will be formed as of next week and an initial meeting of the new Conference of Presidents is scheduled for 9 July; this meeting will decide on the Parliament's position as to the timetable to be followed. At this stage, opinions differ between the groups. Whilst the EPP is strongly in favour of a formal vote in July (EUROPE 9924), the Greens (who want to wait until the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force) and the Socialist Group oppose this. On Thursday, after the PES pre-summit meeting, Martin Schulz did not in so many words demand that the EP wait for the Irish referendum and the Treaty of Lisbon, but that it be given "the time it needs" to debate Mr Barroso's person and programme. This does not mean that Mr Schulz's group will definitely not agree to a swift vote on the basis of the Treaty of Nice, but it would want to get something back in return (bolstering of the social dimension of the future Commission's programme? Promises on the division of portfolios? Agreement with the EPP on the Presidency of the Parliament or on other key posts to be given out in the framework of the Treaty of Lisbon?) The attitude of the Liberals (ALDE), who are divided over Mr Barroso's reappointment, is still in the balance, but all indications seem to be that they would not oppose a rapid vote on Mr Barroso as long as the interests of the Liberal family are respected, regarding both programme and positions (they are calling for "at least one" of the four positions available: EUROPE 9924). The likely arrangements which could be concluded over the next few weeks between the political groups of the EP will, therefore, probably prove decisive as regards the timetable of the vote on the new president of the Commission (Nice or Lisbon?), but also on support for Mr Barroso as candidate. There is, on the other hand, more doubt over the timetable of the appointment of the other commissioners: in its conclusions, the Council stated that the procedure would not be started until the Irish referendum was over, in other words when it is known which treaty will be in force.
José Manuel Barroso, unsurprisingly, said that he was "very satisfied" and "extremely proud" to have received the unanimous support of the 27 leaders. "I am more than proud, I am moved by the impressive words of encouragement and recognition for the work this Commission has done under extremely difficult circumstances", he told the press on Thursday evening. In the view of Mr Barroso, this unanimous support is the result of the way he led the Commission and the "respect I have always shown for all member states, big or small, poor or rich, old or new member states", he said. Mr Barroso said that he was ready to defend his programme for the EP and optimistic that a majority of the MEPs would support him." I am always open to criticism and accept criticism", he stressed, referring to the oppositions of Socialists, the Greens and some of the Liberals: "I will do all in my power to respond to this". If he were confirmed in his position, his first two priorities would be the response to the economic crisis and preparations of the Copenhagen conference on climate change, he said. (H.B./transl.fl)