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Incoming President JoseManuel Barroso made a U-turn in Strasbourg Wednesday when he announced to the European Parliament (EP) that he had decided to postpone putting his team to vote. This decision, shocking and disappointing to many, has serious implications for the European Union (EU).
Barroso said: "I need more time to look at this issue and to consult with the European Council further so that we can have strong support for the new Commission, once finally approved."
Barroso's last-minute U-turn, just made before the EP was supposed to vote on his team, was described by him as "the best solution at this stage". He said that he had had extensive contacts with the group leaders of the legislature and listened attentively to their debate.
His decision was received with mixed responses. While the Liberals hailed his decision to withdraw at the last minute, the Conservatives who have supported his efforts to push through the EP felt somewhat disappointed.
"Mr. Barroso should have stood firm in the face of this left wing witch hunt. By giving into the Socialists we are now stuck with Neil Kinnock and the rest of the failed Prodi Commission," British Conservative member of the EP Jonathan Evans said in a statement.
However, he said that the Conservatives would closely examine Barroso's new proposals to see if there is evidence of him giving ground to the Communists, Greens and Socialists.
Although Dutch Prime Minister Jan Pieter Balkenende, who is also the president of the European Council, has officially asked Romano Prodi to remain in office for some time to ensure institutional continuity, Barroso's decision would make it impossible for his team to take office on Nov. 1 as scheduled.
Some members of the EP (MEPs) deemed it as a political crisis, claiming that it would make a dent in Barroso team's credibility and authority in the years to come. The longer this period, the worse for the EU's integration process, they warned.
The withdrawal itself, which is made due to what he said uncertainty on the prospects of the voting, indicates a lack of confidence, some MEPs said in the corridor.
On the other hand, what happened in the EU over the past few days really showed that the EP is having an increasingly important role in the governance of EU affairs.
"We are living through an important and democratic day of life," EP President Josep Borrell told reporters Wednesday afternoon. But he also said that the system itself still has room for improvement.
"The system can be better than it is," he said.
Meanwhile, this prolonged deadlock between the new European Commission and the EP underlined the need for more and sufficient institutional changes. With the old system in place, the EU will encounter more problems of similar nature in the future.
The decision by Barroso on postponement, high as its price may be, is sounding the alarm bell for future handover of power and can serve as a blessing in disguise for the 25-member bloc.
(Xinhua News Agency October 28, 2004)
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