Barroso Appointed EU Commission President

[Kellanved]

http://www.dw-world.de/dwelle/allgemein/bilder_show/0,3772,91871_6,00.jpg

Prime Minister Durao Barroso as the next European Commission president at a special summit in Brussels.Barroso's appointment ends weeks of deadlock, haggling, and rumors about who would succeed outgoing Commission President, Romano Prodi. The 48-year-old conservative lawyer was picked after nearly a dozen other candidates were rejected. His nomination took only minutes, as he had the unanimous backing of his 24 fellow leaders.



But reaching that level of consensus wasn't easy. Horse-trading over who would take the top EU job intensified after EU leaders failed to agree on a candidate at their last summit in mid-June. Analysts say Barroso's first task will be to dispel the notion that he is the "lowest common denominator;" chosen only because the heads of government couldn't agree on anyone else.

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http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,1433_A_1250649_1_A,00.html

Barroso was the conservative candidate; the poor performance of the European left in the European Elections is to blame for his success. While the French Conservatives supported the Social Democrat, Blair wanted Barroso.
Barroso is called a close friend of Bush, was an outspoken supporter of the Iraq War, generally stands for more US influence in EU politics.

[GainesT1958]

1. He's Portugese, right?

Hmmm...when it all came down to it, maybe it had to do with how well his country is running the European Cup Soccer tournament!:eyes:

I mean fewer hooligan deaths must equal the "man of peace" concept!:eyes:

B-)