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Barroso re-elected as EP president

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Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) greets EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso before their meeting in city of Khabarovsk, about 6100 km (3,800 miles) east of Moscow, on May 21, 2009. (UPI Photo/Anatoli Zhdanov) 
Published: Sept. 17, 2009 at 3:43 PM

BRUSSELS, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- The European Parliament, by an overwhelming margin, elected Jose Barroso to a second five-year term as European Commission president.

The Portuguese politician claimed a solid majority in his bid to return to office, claiming 382 votes from the 736-member body, the EUObserver reported Thursday. Members voting against him numbered 219 and 117 members abstained.

Barroso overcame criticism that he was a weak president who bowed to requests made by larger EU members.

He thanked members their "expression of confidence" and pledged to work "with all political groups."

Saying his re-election gives the commission and its president based in Brussels "great authority," Barroso said, "I will use that (political) capital for more energy for Europe."

Topics: Jose Barroso
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