By Brian Johnson - 19th June 2009
With the Socialists and Greens clearly putting themselves into opposition, a centre-right majority appears to be the only way forward
Graham Watson
Graham Watson's bid for the presidency of the European parliament could be boosted by the reappointment of José Manuel Barroso as commission president.
EU leaders agreed to endorse Barroso for a second term as head of the EU's executive on Thursday.
However, growing opposition within the European parliament could see Barroso's confirmation hopes dashed, unless a majority of MEPs can be mustered to back the former Portuguese prime minister's reappointment.
With both the parliament's Socialist and Greens groups vowing that they will vote against Barroso should a vote be held in July's plenary session in Strasbourg, the centre right EPP group could well look to Watson's 80-strong ALDE group to help secure a parliamentary majority.
At present, and ahead of next week's manoeuvring by the main political groups to secure MEPs from national delegations, the EPP group have just over 260 members.
To ensure Barroso's confirmation, around 350 or more MEPs will need to back him in a simple majority vote. Less that an absolute majority of 369 deputies will probably win it for Barroso as a number of MEPs are likely to abstain.
If Watson can secure the support of the ALDE group's 80 or more MEPs for Barroso, and the EPP pick up a few more votes from currently non-aligned members such as the British Tories, then Barroso's reappointment would be confirmed.
However, to win the ALDE support Watson would be looking for an end to the so-called grand coalition between the EPP and Socialists on sharing parliament's presidency.
Watson has recently been promoting what he calls an "ideological coalition" between the EPP and ALDE groups, to form a centre-right alliance in the European parliament.
In a statement on Friday, Watson said the unanimous support given to Barroso by EU leaders on Thursday did not reflect a similar degree of consensus in the European parliament.
"The EPP group now needs to decide how it wishes to build political support for its candidate amongst the other groups in the House," said Watson.
"With the Socialists and Greens clearly putting themselves into opposition, a centre-right majority appears to be the only way forward."
"Despite all the legal and political uncertainty at present, European parliamentary democracy may emerge stronger, with a political majority and a main opposition in the European parliament reflecting the outcome of voters' wishes at the ballot box earlier this month."
A parliament source said Barroso's re-nomination had reignited the debate on the next president of the assembly.
"Graham's chances of become president are increasing," said the source, "but so far the EPP are refusing to engage [in discussions].
"[EPP group president] Joseph Daul has gone into retreat until he is reconfirmed as their group leader".
MEPs will vote on Barroso's nomination during the July Strasbourg plenary session.
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