European Socialists do not agree with proposals to confirm a new European Commission president on 15 July, saying that the European Parliament would have too little time to make up its mind.

EU heads of state and government could decide at their 18 June summit if conservative Portuguese statesman Jose Manuel Barroso is to receive a second mandate at the head of the commission, provided the centre-right keeps its majority after the 4 to 7 June elections for the European Parliament.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen wants more time for the election of the commission president

"This does not give enough time for the new parliament to express itself. The elections take place on 7 June. We would need a longer time afterwards," Socialist leader Poul Nyrup Rasmussen told French daily Le Monde over the weekend.

Under EU rules, MEPs must in a plenary sitting give their blessing to a new commission chief and his team.