Although not fully enthusiastic about Barroso’s political programme for the presidency of the European Commission, described by Annemie Neyts, President of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR) as being “a bit wooly”, Neyts admitted that Barroso’s presentation of his priorities for the next 5 years at yesterdays ALDE Group meeting “was excellent, very straight to the point”.

Barroso has stated his intent to address the priorities raised by the liberal democrat parliamentary group. Explaining why the proposed new Commission portfolio for civil rights and fundamental freedoms is so important, Neyts commented “we can’t have security without safeguarding freedoms and all our parties strongly supported this position”.

“Barroso gave guarantees to the group about developing the idea of creating an EU financial supervisor and looking at the way the EU budget is funded. We are firm in what we want to see Barroso commit himself to during a future Commission presidency, but we never said that we are against him”, the ELDR President concluded.

The vote on José Manuel Barroso as the next President of the European Commission is set to take place next week during the European Parliament session in Strasbourg.

Chiara Puletti
Communications Officer

European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR)

Office: Rue MONTOYER Straat 31
B-1000 Brussels– Belgium
Phone +32.2.2370143 (direct)
Fax +32.2.231.1907
On the web: www.eldr.eu