ALDE welcomes Barroso decision to withdraw

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 27th Oct 2004

Graham Watson (Liberal Democrat, UK), leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the European Parliament, today welcomed the decision by Commission President elect Jose Manuel Durao Barroso to withdraw his Commission before it was due to be voted on by the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Mr Barroso was widely expected to lose the vote. Speaking in the European Parliament, Mr Watson said that: "Today this house on the River Rhine grows in stature. Its will was tested: its will prevailed."

"At no time did we ask for anything more than is our right. We asked for no prerogative that is not laid down in the law of Europe. We asked for our considered judgement to be treated with respect. At every stage, our willingness to stand by that judgement was doubted, and mistrusted and tested. Tested to the edge of political crisis."

Praising Mr Barroso's recognition of the Parliament's prerogative, Mr Watson said "nobody in this chamber seeks confrontation for its own sake. We value the tension that exists between our institutions because the ability to turn that tension to our mutual benefit is the sign of the maturity of our institutions."

"You suggested yesterday that it was anti-European to vote against your Commission. I think you know that when a pro-European criticises your Commission they are not doing the work of euroscepticism but the very opposite. Today euroscepticism loses, because the voice of democracy in Europe just made itself heard in every national capital and beyond."

Mr Watson called on Mr Barroso "rebuild a Commission that can win the support of this House", and he appealed to the the European Council to back Mr Barroso's attempts.

"Yesterday I spoke of an invisible elephant in this chamber - and it is here again. Once again I call on the Council to reflect on the rights of this House and the independence of the Commission which it is charged with approving. Over the rich summit dinner this Friday, let that be food for thought."