The European Parliament will not hold a vote on José Manuel Barroso's re-appointment as Commission president at its July plenary, it emerged yesterday (1 July) after the liberals and socialists agreed to wait until the second Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty this autumn. Guy Verhofstadt, the new leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), said his group will oppose holding a vote on Barroso's re-appointment during the Parliament's opening plenary session on 15 July (EurActiv 25/06/09). The former Belgian prime minister, who was elected unopposed as ALDE leader on Tuesday, said he and his group will "not accept timetables imposed on Parliament," dealing a blow to the centre-right EPP group and the Swedish EU Presidency who were pushing for a quick decision on the new Commission President. Earlier, the Greens group had announced that they would oppose a July vote on Barroso, joining calls made on 18 June by the socialists. Unless positions change, it therefore appears that there will be no majority for putting a vote on the Parliament's agenda when the Assembly's political group leaders meet on 9 July to discuss the issue.
Guy Verhofstadt, the new leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), said his group will oppose holding a vote on Barroso's re-appointment during the Parliament's opening plenary session on 15 July (EurActiv 25/06/09).
The former Belgian prime minister, who was elected unopposed as ALDE leader on Tuesday, said he and his group will "not accept timetables imposed on Parliament," dealing a blow to the centre-right EPP group and the Swedish EU Presidency who were pushing for a quick decision on the new Commission President.
Earlier, the Greens group had announced that they would oppose a July vote on Barroso, joining calls made on 18 June by the socialists.
Unless positions change, it therefore appears that there will be no majority for putting a vote on the Parliament's agenda when the Assembly's political group leaders meet on 9 July to discuss the issue.
Barroso stalemate threatens to distract EU from real problems
Politics is a dirty thing distracting us from solving the real issues we face. The task of solving those issues is difficult and mainly requires hard work from the men in charge. Political choices are a distraction from this work to be done.
(it's the summer break for f's sake - nothing ever gets done)
The piece itself is not as bad.
(it's the summer break for f's sake - nothing ever gets done
I'm swimming in my shoes at the moment... Even when not wearing them.
How's Berlin?
