UNANIMOOUS BACKING FOR BARROSO Barroso, a former Portuguese prime minister, set out his plans to the EU leaders over dinner. "We want to have a strong president, a strong partner who communicates well," Fischer [Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer, whose country holds the EU's collective presidency] said. "I am very glad that Jose Manuel Barroso received unanimous support." Barroso, 53, still needs the European Parliament's approval next month and a more formal endorsement by the EU leaders. But his centre-right allies are the biggest force in the assembly and he is expected to win enough votes to be reappointed. A record-low turnout in an election to the parliament this month showed widespread discontent with the EU's handling of the economic crisis under Barroso, but he represents continuity in fighting problems such as soaring unemployment. Barroso has said he wants to lead Europe out of crisis, rebuild the EU's financial and supervisory system, protect jobs, combat climate change and help secure Irish voters' approval of the Lisbon treaty streamlining EU decision making. "Our citizens want to see action," he told reporters.
UNANIMOOUS BACKING FOR BARROSO
Barroso, a former Portuguese prime minister, set out his plans to the EU leaders over dinner.
"We want to have a strong president, a strong partner who communicates well," Fischer [Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer, whose country holds the EU's collective presidency] said. "I am very glad that Jose Manuel Barroso received unanimous support."
Barroso, 53, still needs the European Parliament's approval next month and a more formal endorsement by the EU leaders. But his centre-right allies are the biggest force in the assembly and he is expected to win enough votes to be reappointed.
A record-low turnout in an election to the parliament this month showed widespread discontent with the EU's handling of the economic crisis under Barroso, but he represents continuity in fighting problems such as soaring unemployment.
Barroso has said he wants to lead Europe out of crisis, rebuild the EU's financial and supervisory system, protect jobs, combat climate change and help secure Irish voters' approval of the Lisbon treaty streamlining EU decision making.
"Our citizens want to see action," he told reporters.
