By Martin Banks - 11th June 2009
We must allow time for likely candidates to emerge
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
Party of European Socialist (PES) leader Poul Nyrup Rasmussen says the reappointment of José Manuel Barroso for a second term is "far from being a done deal."
Many observers see Barroso as almost a shoe-in for another five years following the resounding success of the political centre-right in last weekend's elections.
The EPP group, which supports his re-election, reinforced its position as easily parliament's strongest group.
But Rasmussen, who stood down at the European elections, said any decision on the commission presidency should wait for the time being.
A decision on the issue could be taken as soon as next week when EU leaders meet in Brussels for a crunch summit although both the Socialists and Greens continue to oppose Barroso's re-election. The ALDE group is yet to say who it supports.
Writing on his blog, Rasmussen, a former Danish PM said, "We said it before the election, and after the election we are saying exactly the same: the PES cannot support a re-election of Barroso.
"Now more than ever, Europe needs a fundamental change of direction and real crisis management. After the election, the PES is the second largest group in parliament and we are by no means the only ones who oppose another five years of Barroso.
"He is the candidate of the EPP and now, as before, his re-election is far from being a ‘done deal'.
"Things must be done properly, transparently and in full respect of parliament. An early appointment would undermine both the next commission and the next parliament."
The former MEP, who has been widely touted as a possible commission president though he is yet to declare any formal interest, added, "We must remember that parliamentary ratification of the Lisbon treaty has been completed in 26 member states.
"Taking decisions on the next commission and its president before the autumn Irish referendum would mean doing so under two different treaties - Lisbon and Nice - seriously damaging its legitimacy.
"Meanwhile this would also mean total lack of respect of parliament. The summit needs to postpone its plans to make a decision next week in order to respect the role of the parliament - democratically chosen by millions of European voters just days ago - in the composition of the new commission.
"We must allow time for the new parliament to be established, for likely candidates to emerge, and for the treaty under which the next commission will operate to become clear."
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.