Pity José Manuel Barroso, Portugal’s former prime minister and the European Commission’s current president. For most Europeans la rentrée is a time for easing back into work after a long summer. It connotes lunches with colleagues, and the exchange of holiday snaps. Not so for Mr Barroso.

Next week he will be fighting to convince petulant members of the European Parliament – ever eager to demonstrate their procedural power – that he deserves a second term in the job. After some hesitation, government leaders have given Mr Barroso their unanimous backing. MEPs must now decide whether to follow suit. They may not be able to muster much enthusiasm for Mr Barroso, but should endorse him nonetheless.