Barroso seeks easy popularity

28.02.2008 / 00:00 CET

The European Commission's support for the ‘third way' proposal, presented by France and Germany as an alternative to the Commission's own proposals to liberalise the energy markets, is typical of the José Manuel Barroso Commission. As ever, the president decided to follow his masters, abandon his team's better thinking and agree with the two most powerful countries in the EU (Commission supports ‘third way' for EU energy regulation, 21-27 February). Barroso once again put pragmatism before quality of results. In this case, pragmatism does not mean quicker results on energy market liberalisation, rather a boost to his chances of being reappointed as Commission president. But the member states should not trust a candidate for the Commission's presidency who pursues his professional interest rather than the interest of Europe. They should also be weary of a candidate who puts the short term before the long term. The duty of a Commission president is to sacrifice his popularity in the short term, if needed, to invest in the long term. Barroso has been unable to do so during his first mandate. Nothing reassures us that he will do it during a second term.

Paul Lantes
Brussels

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