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Sack Barroso! MEPs propose motion of no confidence in Commission President

17 May 2005

Sack Barroso! MEPs propose motion of no confidence in Commission President

The SP delegation in the European Parliament were amongst 77 Euro-MPs who last Friday proposed a motion of no confidence in Commission President Jose Barroso. They accuse Mr Barroso of having taken a holiday on the private yacht of Greek shipping magnate John Latsis. The trip allegedly took place in August, just a month before a shipbuilding firm belonging to Mr Latsis received state aids to the value of € 10,3 miljoen euro.

BarrosoPresident Barroso will be required to appear before the European Parliament at the end of this month in order to answer charges of a possible conflict of interests. The last Commission, which at the time was still in office approved the ten million pounds in state aids, which are allowed within the EU only on very strict conditions. The SP wants Barroso to say whether or not he exerted any pressure on the outgoing Commission to approve the aids. In order to put this question on the agenda of the Parliament, a motion of no confidence was necessary.

In addition to the SP, Dutch Members from the Christian Union and Europa Transparant (Transparent Europe) signed the motion. The debate over Mr Barosso's possible conflict of interest will take place on 25th May.

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