Barroso Starting Search for New EU Commission

 

By Sabina Castelfranco

Incoming European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has begun consultations¹ with the European Union (EU) governments in an effort to resolve the crisis over his proposed new executive agency. Mr. Barroso was forced to withdraw his Commission lineup just two days before Friday's signing of the new European constitution.

The new European Commission, led by incoming President Jose Manuel Barroso, had been due to start work Monday, following the signing Friday of the new charter for the union in Rome.

But Mr. Barroso withdrew his lineup earlier this week when it became clear the European Parliament would not approve it because of widespread opposition² to the controversial nominee³ for justice and security, Italy's Rocco Buttiglione.

The Italian commissioner⁴ designate recently upset many European parliament deputies when he described homosexuality as a sin. His views on women and marriage were also unacceptable to many center and left-wing members of the EU parliament.

After a lavish⁵ ceremony in Rome's Capitoline Hill to mark the signing of EU's new constitution, the former Portuguese⁶ prime minister said he had already begun talks to resolve the impasse⁷.

"I will now engage [in] consultations with some members of the European Council and the political forces in the European parliament," said Mr. Barroso.  "My goal is to present a commission that will deserve strong support of the European parliament and also the full confidence of the European council."

Mr. Barroso indicated for the first time that he expected to replace some members of his proposed executive. He said the parliament's opposition to a nominee is to be expected in working democracies.

"What happened in the European Parliament is quite normal in most of our democracies," he added. "Our democracies have discussion, have debate. It's not a bureaucracy, it's a democracy. What we are witnessing now here is of course democracy in the European Union working."

Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, whose country holds the EU presidency⁸, said European leaders have expressed confidence in Mr. Barroso after the signing of the new constitution. He added that EU leaders were certain Mr. Barroso's efforts will succeed.

"Effective leadership and public support are what the European Union requires to transform the promise of today's treaty into reality," said Mr. Balkenende.

Mr. Balkenende also thanked the present commission and its president, Italy's Romano Prodi, for agreeing to stay on until a new lineup wins approval.

"I'm grateful that the Prodi commission is willing to go on and continue their activities, so I'm grateful for their willingness to carry on their work in these circumstances," he added.

A deadline for the presentation of a new team has not been given, but Mr. Barroso said he hopes to complete the process in the next few weeks.

Sabina Castelfranco, VOA news, Rome.
注释：
incoming 即将就任的
proposed 被提议的
lineup 一组人
charter 宪章
nominee 被提名者
deputy 代表
homosexuality 同性恋
sin 罪过
left-wing 左派的
lavish 奢侈的，浪费的
impasse 僵局
willingness 自动自发
deadline 最终期限

1 consultations   

n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找

参考例句：

• Consultations can be arranged at other times by appointment. 磋商可以通过预约安排在其他时间。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Consultations are under way. 正在进行磋商。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

3 nominee   

n.被提名者；被任命者；被推荐者

参考例句：

• His nominee for vice president was elected only after a second ballot.他提名的副总统在两轮投票后才当选。
• Mr.Francisco is standing as the official nominee for the post of District Secretary.弗朗西斯科先生是行政书记职位的正式提名人。

4 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

5 lavish   

adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍

参考例句：

• He despised people who were lavish with their praises.他看不起那些阿谀奉承的人。
• The sets and costumes are lavish.布景和服装极尽奢华。

6 Portuguese   

n.葡萄牙人；葡萄牙语

参考例句：

• They styled their house in the Portuguese manner.他们仿照葡萄牙的风格设计自己的房子。
• Her family is Portuguese in origin.她的家族是葡萄牙血统。

7 impasse   

n.僵局；死路

参考例句：

• The government had reached an impasse.政府陷入绝境。
• Negotiations seemed to have reached an impasse.谈判似乎已经陷入僵局。

8 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。