The first obstacle in its path will be the Irish referendum October 2

Barroso has heard the criticism. It will astonish you by its initiatives, to show that he is a convinced European, supporter of a strong Europe. "While the President of the European Commission must receive today the green light from MEPs for a second term, one of his closest advisors announces a profound turn of its policy and its management of the Commission, body key to the institutional triangle to imagine, to propose and conduct common EU policies European. It thus advance address a denial to those who accuse the former Portuguese Prime Minister to be too sensitive to the interests of the "big" countries, and shockingly managed the financial and economic crisis. But succeed this bet will not be a long, quiet for Barroso River between the leaders of the twenty-seven who chose him unanimously in part to the proximity it maintains in their regard, a Parliament powers increased and significantly less enthusiastic, and public opinions especially concerned by the rise in unemployment.

The first obstacle in its path will be the Irish referendum, October 2. For new rejection of the Lisbon Treaty, the Union for a time, engulfed in a severe crisis condemning it to immobility. And its leaders could do Barroso a scapegoat just found, a few months after him have revered. Conversely, "Yes" and entry into force of Lisbon, Barroso will be first line to manage the institutional changes introduced by this Treaty. And most did not announce a strengthening of the Commission! With a greatly expanded "codecision" power, Parliament could be led to more often encounter not only with the Council but mainly with iron, it can censor and coerce the resignation. In addition, two newcomers are likely to shadow the pattern of the community Executive: the High Representative for foreign policy, which will also be Vice-President of the Commission, and the President of the European Council, appointed to two and a half years. It referred to a time the name of Tony Blair for this position, although it will be a priori more symbolic than with real powers.

Second obstacle on the path of strengthening the Commission announced: the composition of the new team "Barroso 2". To show its independence, its President will be deaf ear to the demands of the heads of State and Government "friends", eager to require a strategic portfolio to be paid for their support. Let's start with the France, which aims for several months the single market. Barroso will have to prove to critics that it is the most qualified Commissioner who gets the position coveted, and the representative of such capital. A traditionally sensitive to find balance, but that will have a test value both for the European Parliament, which will have to confirm the choice, to the Governments of the Union.

Another challenge: the priorities retained by Barroso in his "political orientations for the next Commission" are intended to be ambitious, and will therefore be difficult to implement. Promote, firstly, "a low intensity of carbon economy" while keeping world leadership in the fight against climate change involves radical changes in the management of all policies of the Union, which will be not facilitated by the economic crisis. And a failure of the Copenhagen Summit early December would be a harsh blow to the credibility of Barroso, who should then draw all the consequences rather than hide the scope, as it could have in the past.

Succeed, then an effective by supporting demand and stopping the rise of unemployment is another risky bet. Because the European plan for economic stimulus announced by Barroso seems, for now, rest more on national on real initiatives of the Union, decisions as we have seen in the car. The President of the Commission said that it would quickly raise the question of the financial resources of the Union, the modesty of the European budget explaining much the absence of a common response. But the big net contributors, such as the France and the Germany countries, indicated that the time was rather savings to an increase of the appropriations available. If one adds to this the reform of the common agricultural policy, the continuation of the enlargement of the Union or the affirmation of the role of Europe in the world, Barroso is earned its stripes of great European.