COMMENT What looked like a shoo-in three weeks ago – the reappointment of José Manuel Barroso as president of the European Commission – is suddenly no longer certain. The European parliament has declined to debate and confirm this week the unanimous choice of all 27 member states of the European Union for the job.
The obstreperous parliamentarians have dared to suggest that the former Portuguese prime minister must submit to a grilling, and prove he has the vision to serve again. They are going to make him wait until the autumn before reaching a decision. Just when Europe needs firm leadership in the throes of the economic crisis, the EU executive looks like a lame duck.
