The European Movement International (EMI) congratulates Mr. José Manuel Barroso on his re-election for a second term as President of the European Commission.

On Wednesday 16 September 2009, the European Parliament in Strasbourg approved the re-appointment of Mr. Barroso by a majority of 382 votes. Mr Barroso declared that solidarity, freedom and a stronger Europe were his priorities as leader of the executive arm of the European Union.

Mr Barroso will have to face a number of challenges and the expectations regarding his performance are high: many promises have been made, and stakeholders will be seeking for delivery.

Among others, the EMI expects Mr. Barroso to enhance the dialogue between the EU institutions and the civil society. In his political guidelines for the next Commission Mr. Barroso describes the dialogue with the EU citizens and the different actors in civil society as a hallmark of the current Commission that will continue to be of critical importance. The EMI agrees with the importance of the dialogue, but stresses that much more can and needs to be done to bridge the gap between the EU institutions and the civil society.

The EMI would like to see Mr. Barroso to get strongly involved in the campaign for the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty, as it is crucial to reach its fast implementation in order to ensure that the European Union can emerge again united and ready to face its many current challenges.