the Union of European Federalists (UEF) and the Young European Federalists (JEF) launched the "Who is your candidate?" campaign, urging European political parties to nominate a candidate for the post of European Commission President, that the council would have to appoint if that party wins the election, as is foreseen in the Lisbon Treaty (but nonetheless applicable without it). This campaign received support from numerous Party of European Socialists (PES) members and leaders when it was presented at the PES Council in Madrid in December 2008.

When probing why the PES failed to nominate a candidate in Madrid, to go along with its pan-European manifesto, the blame lies squarely at your feet, Messrs Prime Ministers. You, the two socialist leaders of Spain and Portugal, already assured Mr. Barroso late last year of your support for him to serve a second term as EC president, despite the fact that he is a leader of the European People's Party (centre-right).