Brussels, 24/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - Although the Socialist Group at the European Parliament (which is now called the “Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats”, see EUROPE yesterday) wants to extend the “technical agreement” with the EPP by five years on the sharing of the presidency of parliament and parliamentary committees, it will have no choice but to support José Manuel Barroso at the head of the next European Commission by a formal vote of MEPs on 15 July. On Wednesday 24 July, the president of the EPP Group, Joseph Daul, informed the press that “if the Socialists oppose the vote on 15 July, there will be no technical agreement with them”. On the other hand, if the Liberals from the ALDE decided to support Barroso in July, it will be with them that the main group will ally itself and share the parliamentary presidency, explained Daul. In this case, a Liberal (certain to be Graham Watson) would be president of the whole arrangement during the second half of the legislature (two and a half years). The EPP would, however, call for one of their members to be president during the first two and a half years. The EPP candidate for this post (Jerzy Buzek or Mario Mauro) has still not been announced and the group will make the decision in a vote on 7 July.
EPP MEPs have asked Mr Daul to begin negotiations with the other groups (the Socialsits and Liberals, to begin with) on Tuesday 30 June, to see “who is prepared to come to a technical agreement with whom”. Mr Daul explained that for the instant, “the question is still pending but everything will depend on who supports us in the vote for Barroso on 15 July”. An agreement with the Socialists to create a solid majority will be preferable but an alliance with the ALDE and the new Eurosceptic conservative group for getting the vote for Barroso put on the agenda is also envisage, explained Mr Daul (according to Daul, “the Conservatives have always said that they will vote for Barroso”). Martin Schulz is known to be interested in presiding over the assembly but his group has so far opposed a vote on appointing Barroso in July. The meeting of the Conference of Presidents of the EP on 9 July will certainly be decisive. A simple majority at the meeting will be necessary to include the approval of the European Commission president's appointment on the agenda on 15 July. Mr Daul is convinced that “if there is a vote, Barroso will get a majority”.