Barroso set for second term

JOSE Manuel Barroso is set to be re-appointed European Commission president for a second five-year term when lawmakers hold a vote today, after leaders backed him as the best person to help steer the EU out of recession.

Under EU rules, the bloc’s 27 government leaders pick a new president for the European Commission. But the European Parliament must endorse their choice.

The body was widely expected to back Barroso, who needs a simple majority — 369 votes in the 736-member assembly — to be re-appointed. He addressed the parliament yesterday and drew the support of an odd alliance comprising the assembly’s 256 Christian Democrats, 84 Liberals and 55 Conservatives.