Euronews: “Jose Manuel Barroso has secured a second term as European Commission President, the European Parliament handing him a surprisingly strong majority. Analysing the vote outcome with us is Martin Schulz, the head of the Socialist group in the parliament. Herr Schulz, how did you vote?”

Martin Schulz: “I abstained, as that was the recommendation my group had issued beforehand.” Euronews: “How do you interpret the outcome? Was it a moderate success for Barroso or was it political credit up front which might be used up quickly?” Martin Schulz: “It was not a success at all. And it wasn’t a political cash advance. If it had been, it would be poisoned. Mr Barroso has not got a convincing majority, because he just received 12 or 13 votes more than legally required under the Lisbon Treaty. And he got that majority solely because he got about 50 votes from eurosceptics such as Kaczinski, Klaus and the British Tories. Now, this is a majority unworthy of a staunchly pro-European statesman. So, I think that a very problematic procedure has been launched today.”More about: EU Commission

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