The appointment of Josе Manuel Barroso

23. јул 2004. |

The appointment of José Manuel Barroso as the new President of the European Commission has been approved by the Members of the European Parliament today in Strasbourg.

In a vote held by secret ballot, MEPs voted to approve the appointment of Jose Manuel Barroso as the new President of the European Commission. A total of 413 MEPs voted in favour of Mr Barroso's appointment, while 251 MEPs voted against.

Speaking immediately after his approval, President Barroso stated that he was `delighted, honoured and proud` to be able to serve the EU. He said he would build bridges beyond the old left-right divides, between those who wanted to modernise and those who did not, between those pro and anti-EU as well as between himself and the people that did not vote for him that day. He underlined his belief in Europeandhis strong European convictions.