European Union

Barroso set to remain European Commission President

Article published on the 2009-07-09 Latest update 2009-07-09 10:46 TU

Jose Manuel Barroso.
(Photo: Reuters)

European Union nations have unanimously agreed to nominate Jose Manuel Barroso for a second five-year term as President of the European Commission, the European Union’s Swedish presidency said Thursday.

The EU council had already given the former Portuguese premier their political support but have now given him a formal endorsement to help him win the approval of the European parliament.

“We now have a unanimous formal nomination on Jose Manuel Barroso from all the heads of state and government,” said Swedish Prime Minister Fredrick Reinfeldt.

The decision was reached after a “silence procedure” over 48 hours during which none of the member nations objected to Barroso’s return.

The head of European Commission is the most powerful office in the EU, responsible for drawing up legislation and allocating portfolios to members of the Commission. The parliament will vote on Barroso's return in September.