European Commission President Jose Barroso won a second term in office in a European Parliament vote on September 16 2009, although Greens and the socialist bloc held to their opposition to him.

Of the 736 members of the European Parliament, 718 were present for the vote; 382 voted in favour, 219 against and there were 117 abstentions.

Barroso (53), the former prime minister of Portugal whose candidacy for a second term as EC chief was previously endorsed by EU heads of state and government, addressed the European Parliament on September 15 to outline his vision of economic recovery in combination with a social market.
 
"Let’s be clear: the crisis is not over for those who have lost their jobs, and we can not say that the crisis is over before we come back to creation of employment instead of rising unemployment," Barroso said.
 
Barroso has been criticised by some for his handling of the economic crisis, but he was the only candidate for the top EC post, euronews said.
 
He appealed to the European Parliament’s sense of moral fibre: "If you want a European Commission that stands up sometimes to the member states, that stands up to national egotism, you should give the Commission the strong support it needs. Let’s embark on this European journey together."
 
Barroso focused on economic recovery combined with a social market, listing proposals he wants to implement if elected. "I am committed to fighting social dumping" he said, announcing a revision of the working time directive.
 
He promised initiatives to eliminate the gender pay gap. As for the EU budget, Mr Barroso proposed to "move towards an approach based on solidarity".
 
Barroso said that "the EU must have a more transparent and efficient way of financing its policies".
 
He promised changes to the EC structure, with the appointment of commissioners for justice, fundamental rights and civil liberties, for internal affairs and migration, and for climate action, as well as "a scientific adviser for research and innovation".
 
An attempt by opponents of Barroso to delay the vote was rejected in a European Parliament vote.
 
Daniel Cohn-Bendit, co-president of the Greens, who oppose Barroso, said on the eve of the vote: "If he gets 320 votes, he’s far from an absolute majority and his legitimacy would be weakened. Everyone will say he pushed through his investiture under the Nice Treaty, because he knows he couldn’t get the 369 votes. But if he does he wins hands down, to put it simply."
 
The 369-vote mark clears the candidate under both treaties, and neutralises any calls for supplementary re-confirmation.
 
In debate on September 15, EPP-ED leader Joseph Daul, according to a European Parliament record of the debate, confirmed that his group would support Barroso's candidacy, although he warned that "this is not a blank cheque and you will have to fulfil our expectations".
 
Daul called on Mr Barroso to waste no time in setting up a new college of commissioners. "Citizens of Europe spoke in June in favour of the EPP" and "we now back Mr Barroso" because he has proved to be a "high-profile candidate".
 
Socialist group leader Martin Schulz said that Barroso did not have the support of the S-D group, although he confirmed that the group would meet tonight to take its final decision.
 
"Europe needs a real change of direction" and Barroso would be measured on this basis, Schulz said. Schulz emphasised the need for new European laws, such as a directive on public services: "This is about your programme, Mr Barroso, we cannot reduce Europe to just one man".
 
ALDE group leader Guy Verhofstadt said that the ALDE group would support Barroso's candidacy provided that Barroso responded to its specific demands on a common plan to clean up the banking system and a mid-term review to beef up banking supervision.
 
"Some groups are not convinced by Mr Barroso's guidelines, but we have the responsibility to take a final decision as soon as possible," Verhofstadt said.
 
"The Greens/EFA group does not have faith in you", Cohn-Bendit told Barroso during the debate, adding that "we think we deserve somebody better than you".
 
Cohn-Bendit demanded the postponement of the vote to take into account the result of Ireland's referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. "If the Irish people vote 'yes' to Lisbon, we will have a new situation for the Commission".
 
Michał Tomasz Kaminski of the ECR expressed his support for the re-election of Barroso. "There are many issues over which we disagree with Mr Barroso, for example the Lisbon Treaty, but he is against national selfishness and that is why we support him."
 
Lothar Bisky of the GUE/NGL outlined the need for a "social, peaceful and environmental friendly Europe" and said Barroso was the "wrong man for president if we want that kind of Europe".

Nigel Farage, on behalf of the EFD, said that the EP should not vote on Barroso's candidacy until the Irish people had voted on the Lisbon Treaty.