BERLIN – The leader of Germany’s Social Democrats says there is little point in Europe’s socialist bloc naming a candidate to try to stop European Commission president José Manuel Barroso winning a second term. Mr Barroso’s five-year mandate expires this year.
Asked if Europe’s centre-left would put up a challenger, Franz Müntefering replied: “What would the point of that be? It would be naive to do that. There are 27 EU countries and 21 of those are led by conservative governments.
“And at least two others, Portugal and Spain, are for Barroso. Do you think the other four should put up a challenger?” he asked. – (Reuters)