European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso addresses members of the European Parliament after his re-election for a new term as president of the Commission at the European Parliament in Strasbourg September 16, 2009.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Wednesday won support of the European Parliament for his second five-year term.
The 736-seat assembly voted 382-219 with 117 abstentions to elect Barroso as president of the new commission, giving him a much-needed absolute majority.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso attends a debate on his candidacy for a new term as Commission President in Strasbourg September 15, 2009.
The election of the commission president is currently governed by rules of the Nice Treaty, which requires a simple majority -- 301 votes in this case. But an absolute majority -- at least 369 votes -- as required by the stalled Lisbon Treaty, would give Barroso a strong mandate for the next five years.
Barroso explained after the vote that the stronger-than-expected support meant that members of the European Parliament from the left wing refused to follow orders of their groups and voted for him.
