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9/25/09

Spiegel OnLine: Barroso Wins Second Term: A Victory for the EU's Political Chameleon - by Hans-Jürgen Schlamp

For the complete report from the SPIEGEL ONLINE click on this link

Barroso Wins Second Term: A Victory for the EU's Political Chameleon - by Hans-Jürgen Schlamp

The European Parliament voted Wednesday to give Jose Manuel Barroso a second five-year term as president of the European Commission. But Brussels is getting a weak boss. The unpopular Portuguese politician has become the butt of jokes, with even allies like Angela Merkel poking fun at him. Jose Manuel Barroso beams and shakes hands, celebrating his victory. A total of 382 members of the European Parliament have finally given him what he has been wanting for so long: a second five-year term at the head of the powerful European Commission in Brussels. der Barroso to be the wrong choice. But despite his frozen smile, traces of frustration and irritation can be seen in his face, even in his moment of triumph. It is not the 219 MEPS who voted against him in Wednesday's vote or the 117 abstentions that are responsible for his mood. Rather, it is the insults and injuries which he has had to put up with in recent months -- and not just from political opponents but also from within his own camp. Most of the participants in the election actually consider Barroso to be the wrong choice.

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