BRUSSELS, May 6 (UPI) -- European Parliament socialists say they won't back another term for Jose Manuel Barroso as European Commission chief unless he agrees to concessions.
Socialist Vice President Hannes Swoboda said his faction could reject Barroso's nomination if he doesn't make bigger commitments on such social concerns as working time and economic coordination efforts, the EUObserver reported Wednesday.
German Socialist Jo Leinen told the publication that even though the party had failed to nominate its own candidate for EC chief, it would still be able to negotiate a legislative program for a second Barroso commission. That commission, Leinen said, would have a much stronger social dimension than the current one should the center-right EPP came out top in next month's European elections as polls indicate.
The EUObserver said the strongest opposition to Barroso is coming from the left. Portuguese member Ilda Figueiredo of the European United Left/Nordic Green party said her group would "in no way support (Barroso's) re-election."
"I totally disagree with most of the (European Commission's) policies," Figueiredo told the publication.
