Barroso unanimously backed for EU commission top job

National governments have unanimously backed current commission president José Manuel Barroso for a second term as head of the EU's executive body.

A statement from the EU's Swedish presidency said, "We have a unanimous formal nomination… the council has now taken its responsibility to finalise the nomination."

The statement follows the close of the 48-hour "silence procedure" during which time member states could raise concerns over the former Portuguese prime minister's competence to lead the commission.

Sweden's prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said the step was important so that "Europe can move forward as soon as possible to resolve the important issues we have before us, such as the climate and financial crises".

Commentators say the presidency is fearful of a leadership vacuum whilst Barroso's appointment is confirmed, and will push for his installation to the post sooner rather than later.

This would mean Barroso is appointed according to the provisions of the treaty of Nice, rather than those of the Lisbon treaty which will be voted on in Ireland in October.

EPP leader Joseph Daul responded to the move saying, "José Manuel Barroso is the EPP candidate and we want our political family, which won the European elections, to be entrusted with this important position for the next five years."

ALDE leader Guy Verhofsdadt had called for the official nomination as recently as last week, saying the parliament was not a "rubber stamp" for the procedure and needed the chance to comment on the proposal.

Despite the backing of member states, there is still considerable opposition within the parliament to Barroso retaining the role, although no other candidates have been officially declared.

The Greens have been particularly vocal in their opposition, with leader Daniel Cohn-Bendit said to be leading the No campaign. He has previously accused the commission chief of "feeble judgement".

The Socialist group in the parliament is also opposed to the EPP candidate. "We know Mr Barroso and our experience is not positive. His record on managing the crisis, on social protection, on providing leadership, is poor but he tries to impress to talking it up," said a joint statement from PES president Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and Martin Schulz, the leader of the Socialists in the parliament.

In the face of opposition to a hasty resolution, parliament will not vote on the nomination in the plenary session next week, as some of Barroso's supporters had hoped. Instead, members are likely to get their chance to speak at the September session.

According to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, one EU official hoped the beginning of the process would "stop any more rubbish coming from the parliament and fully formalise the appointment".

Barroso is set to address the inaugural plenary session of the parliament next week, say reports.

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