EC's Barroso says he'd like a second term

BRUSSELS, May 25 (UPI) -- European Commission leader Jose Manuel Barroso is expected to seek a second term as analysts debate whether he lacks political will or is unfairly judged.

The European People's Party and several governments back Barroso for a second term to lead the organization based in Brussels, but several names -- such as Dutch leader Jan-Peter Balkenende -- have also been floated as possible candidates for the five-year job, the EUobserver reported Monday.

One commission official said its been "a very long election campaign" that likely could be decided within a month, the publication said.

Barroso said in a recent interview that nominations for the office were reached in June would be better for "institutional stability" than if they waited until November when the Lisbon Treaty may be in force. Among other things, the treaty gives the European Parliament, trying to put together a coalition against Barroso, a stronger say over the nomination.

The Financial Times newspaper recently published an opinion piece in which the author said, "Mr. Barroso is among the weakest commission presidents ever, a vain man who lacks political courage."

However, other analysts told EUobserver they thought Barroso was being unfairly judged. Antonio Missiroli from the European Policy Center noted Barroso "had to operate in a very difficult situation."

A different commission chief "could end up being worse" Missiroli said, while the institution could benefit from an "experienced president."