Barroso sets out agenda for second EU term

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso today sent a new job application to Euro-MPs – hoping to silence his critics and win a clear mandate for a second five-year term in office.

Mr Barroso, the centre-right former Portuguese prime minister, already has the unanimous support of all 27 EU government leaders, but centre-left MEPs have so far successfully blocked his confirmation by the European Parliament.