By Elinor Blair - 25th October 2004
Greens are refusing to support José Manuel Barroso’s new commission and claim that pressure to bring MEPs into line is ‘psychological terrorism’.
The European Parliament's fourth largest bloc argues that Barroso is "at the service of governments".
And Monica Frassoni, the group’s co-president insisted the “independence and autonomy” of the commissioners-designate was questionable".
She says that putting pressure on Greens to agree the new commission was a form of psychological terrorism and that a ‘no’ vote from the parliament would not create an EU crisis.
Greens suggest that the Barroso has responded to the parliament’s criticisms about the line up of his new team in a “foreseeable way” and that they remain dissatisfied with a number of candidates.
Frassoni also added that the EU needs a parliament with more power and “power to make changes.”
At present the parliament only has the ability to accept or reject the whole team of commissioners-designate and not individuals.
The MEP played down the inter-institutional disagreements over the proposed commissioners.
“We are in the middle of a political battle, not a war, this kind of debate is “normal in a democracy," she said.
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