27/10/2004
European Socialists declare "Victory" over Barroso climb-down
27 October 2004
President of the European Socialist Party Poul Nyrup Rasmussen declared "victory" today after a showdown with the disgraced incoming European Commission forced its president designate Jose Manuel Barroso into a climb-down over his controversial Italian nominee commissioner Rocco Buttiglione.
Members of the PES in the European Parliament stood firm and united against Barroso's proposed commission, following inflammatory comments from Buttiglione about homosexuals and the place of women in society.
“Today represents a breakthrough in European democracy" Rasmussen said of the Barroso u-turn on Wednesday in the face of overwhelming parliamentary pressure.
"Despite the regrettable and irresponsible support of the centre-right European People's Party, Barroso has received a stark wake-up call from the European Parliament and particularly its socialist members."
"It was the socialists in the parliament who saved the principles of non-discrimination and insisted that the values of equal treatment enshrined in the EU's treaties were respected. Others did not."
"The PES will not compromise on its values, on the rights of women, gays and minorities. We want a commission that shows integrity and competence in the promotion of these values."
"We want a strong and credible European Commission, not a weak and discredited one. European socialists will now do everything we can to ensure European citizens get the commission Europe deserves."
Members of the Party of European Socialists will now engage in negotiations with Barroso to find an acceptable new Commission line-up.
Contact Alexandra Pardal for more information on +32 485 94 19 05
