EUROPEAN COMMISSION/PARLIAMENT: DURAO BARROSO WANTS A FREE HAND WITH COMMISSION LINE-UP.

Jose Manuel Durao Barroso was auditioned on July 13 and 14 by the seven political groups currently constituted at the European Parliament (see Europe Information 2885). A plenary debate is scheduled on the day of the constitutive session on July 22 in Strasbourg, followed by the vote of Parliamentary approval.

Asked about the conditions of his appointment, Mr Barroso said he considers himself to have the abilities to lead a "strong, credible and independent Commission". He pointed out that he was elected with 40% of the vote in his country, that he was one of the youngest ever Foreign Ministers, and that he was in government for twelve years - elements which, in his opinion, are adequate proof of his competence: "I hope the European Council did not try to pick the worst candidate", he observed. In this context, is his resignation from his post as Portuguese Prime Minister a sign of contempt for a European Parliament reduced to a simple rubber-stamp? This question was asked, in particular, the PES and Green MEPs. "On the contrary", countered Mr Barroso. "I had to present myself to the European Parliament free of all national affiliation - it would have been a lack of respect for the European Parliament. Conversely, I could hardly leave the Portuguese people in uncertainty as to the future of the Government." "I was willing to risk my position as Prime Minister because I have a European conviction. I present myself to you as a European citizen, not as a Head of Government."

On the topic of his political profile, Jose Manuel Durao Barroso considers that: "My profile is not the caricature depicted by some of the media. I consider myself as a centrist reformer. I am not conservative." "I am a partisan of the European social model, but an advanced model. I am in favour of social policies more targeted at those who really need them, so as to reduce the burden on the taxpayers and stimulate the economy", he added. On the budgetary restrictions he imposed on Portugal, Mr Barroso reminded that his country "was the object of an excessive deficit procedure launched by Mr Solbes, who became the Socialist Finance Minister", and that he...