Barroso almost certain to get second term as EU chief Commission president

Brussels: European Union leaders on Thursday agreed to nominate Jose Manuel Barroso officially for a second five-year term as European Commission president to put pressure on the European Parliament to approve him.

The leaders had already given the conservative former Portuguese prime minister their unanimous political support but had until now stopped short of a legally binding endorsement.

EU leaders fear any delay in confirming Barroso could undermine him and the executive Commission, a powerful regulatory body, at a time when strong leadership is called for to steer Europe out of its worst economic crisis in decades.

"I am pleased that all member states have now formally agreed on the nomination of the Commission president," Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country holds the EU's presidency for the next six months, said in a written statement.

He said the decision would "ensure continuity of the Commission's important work during the autumn on climate change, the economic crisis..."

Barroso, 53, is the only candidate, but requires the backing of the parliament as well as EU governments and will address the assembly next week. His centre-right allies are the largest force in the parliament but do not have a majority.

Sweden has been leading efforts by the 27-nation bloc to secure Barroso's rapid re-appointment. But his foes have blocked a vote of approval in the assembly when it meets next week for the first time since last month's European Parliament election.

The opposition by Socialists, Greens, some Liberals and the far left means the vote is now not expected until mid-September, shortly before Ireland holds a referendum on the Lisbon treaty, which is intended to streamline decision-making.

Rejection of the treaty for the second time by the Irish would throw the EU into crisis.

"The next step is now the approval by the European Parliament, which will hopefully take place during the September session in Strasbourg," Reinfeldt said.

"Following parliament's vote in September, the president will also have a clear mandate to prepare the appointment of a new college after the referendum in Ireland."

Critics say Barroso is too much in favour of free trade and free markets and that he responded slowly to the economic crisis, which has pushed up unemployment and hurt economies.