New EC chief promises a 'grand adventure'

Undaunted by sceptics and clashes with MEPs over the appointment of his team, the new EC chief said today he was determined to lead a strong executive and build a competitive Europe.

A day after taking office, Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told students at the College of Europe in Bruges – traditionally seen as a training ground for Eurocrats – that he intended to lead a “strong and independent” team that would “flex more muscle” in Brussels.