Barroso: EU policy not at centre of most countries' debates

The President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso is dismissing claims the French and Greek election results represent a rejection of EU policies.

Over the weekend voters in the two countries punished politicians in Paris and Athens who have supported austerity measures, in favour of candidates opposed to spending cuts.

However, Mr Barroso said: "The pursuit of consolidation and growth measures is the best combination to ensure Europe's recovery."

He has hit out at suggestions that people in France and Greece used the elections to highlight their opposition to the European plans.

Mr Barroso said: "They have expressed their preference for some parties and their opposition to other parties, their preference for some personalities and their opposition to other personalities.

"It is quite an interesting remark to say that this was about European policy when in fact, in most of our member states, European policy is not really at the centre of national debate."