« Home

Home » Politics » Cini: European Union Politics 2e » Student resources » Case studies » Chapter 09

Cini: European Union Politics 2e

Chapter 09

What role for Barroso's European Commission?

On 26 January 2005 President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, presented his five-year strategies to the European Parliament. This Commission strategy focuses upon three fundamental objectives: prosperity; solidarity; and security. To obtain this first element, Barroso re-emphasised the mid-term review of the Lisbon Agenda for a new economic dynamism. Economic solidarity based on cohesion policies and social solidarity, including environmental protection, and the promotion and defence of the European common value, through a revised social agenda were also urged. The last strategy was security, and for this EU's cooperation with international partners such as the transatlantic relationship was stressed (For the Commission's five year strategy and 2005 Work Programme ec.europa.eu/atwork/synthesis/index_en.htm).

These strategies adopted by Barroso's Commission emphasise the importance of managing and implementing existing programmes and policies rather than introducing new initiatives (Cini 2005). This also implies that he laid out plans for a solid and independent Commission instead of carrying out any major changes in the Commission. A strong Commission was reiterated in his first speech on taking up the position in the College of Europe in November 2004; " In a Europe of 25 [states], the role of the commission and the community method are more important than ever ". However this strong, independent and credible role of the Commission and its ability to deliver on its commitment is dependent upon member states of the EU (Cini 2005). The success of this strategy for Barroso's Commission could allow us to redefine the Commission's role and its policy-making coordination with member states and the European Parliament.

Web Links

Delegation of the European Commission in the United States
www.eurunion.org/

Joint Research Centre of the European Commission
www.jrc.cec.eu.int/welcome.htm

EuropaWorld on the European Commission
www.europaworld.org/Commission.htm

Official Documents of the European Commission
europa.eu.int/documents/comm/index_en.htm

Archive of European Integration (AEI) on the European Commission – University of Pittsburgh
aei.pitt.edu/view/subjects/D005010.html

Further Learning Resources

Dimitrakopoulos, Dionyssis, G. (2004), Changing European Commission, Manchester, Manchester University Press.

Christiansen , Thomas (1997), ' Tensions in European Governance: politicised bureaucracy and multiple accountability in the European Commission ', Journal of European Public Policy , Vol. 4, N o. 1, 1997, pp. 73-90 .

Smith , Andy (2003) 'Why European Commissioners matter' Journal of Common Market studies , V ol. 41, N o. 2, pp. 137-55 .

Stevens , Anne and Stevens , Handley (2000) Brussels Bureaucrats? Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan.