Barroso return hopes

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso moved closer to obtaining a second mandate as head of the European Union executive in Brussels after he received the key backing of French President Nicolas Sarkozy at a summit of EU leaders. “I have always liked the way he works, and I have not changed my opinion ... I will not be ashamed to support him,” Sarkozy said. He had previously appeared less enthusiastic about backing Barroso, a conservative and former prime minister of Portugal.

However, Sarkozy suggested delaying Barroso’s appointment until after an October referendum in Ireland, wich advocates hope will pave the way for new rules governing the way the European Commission is made up to come into force. Barroso can also rely on the support of British Premier Gordon Brown.

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