Mário Soares on the state of the EU after Barroso's re-election

In the daily Diário de Notícias former Portuguese head of state Mário Soares expresses concern about the future of the European Union after the re-election of José Manuel Barroso as EU Commission President: "The political and institutional impasse [in which the EU finds itself], the lack of international initiatives, the lacking coordination among the 27 EU states regarding financial and economic plans for combating the global crisis and the mediocrity of current European politicians are enough to widen the gap between EU politicians and EU citizens, hinder a common government for all 27 EU states and weaken the Union. All this at a time when the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty seems less and less likely - shortly before the new Irish referendum [on the Treaty]. This means at a time when a strong Union is needed in an increasingly multilateral world the EU is only pretending it will change. The re-election of Barroso, whose first term in office came to such an end, to President of the EU Commission … cannot be viewed without concern."

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