EU Socialists oppose bid to reappoint Barroso

(BRUSSELS) - The head of the Socialist group in the European parliament on Thursday said they would not back EU Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso's re-election.

"It is completely premature and without the socialists there is not a parliamentary majority, unless there is a vote with the anti-European MEPs," Martin Schulz said hours ahead of an EU summit which will endorse Barroso's bid for a second term.

The European leaders are expected to back a plan to get Barroso reselected next month, via parliamentary vote.

"Barroso is not a good candidate. The socialist group will not vote for him in July" and will oppose the moves to hold such a "premature" vote German eurodeputy Schulz said.

Former Portuguese PM Barroso would need majority support in the 736 EU parliament and Schulz said his conservative backers in the European People's Party -- which came out ahead in elections this month -- would have to forge an alliance with eurosceptics in order to muster sufficient votes.

The incoming European parliament includes 182 socialist MEPs against 264 conservatives, 80 liberals and 53 Greens.

Most EU leaders would like to see a parliamentary vote on Barroso in July but the socialists hope a strong rival will yet appear from their own ranks.

Along with the Greens and some liberals, the socialist camp want to wait until the EU's Lisbon Treaty, which will reform the commission, can come into force -- which could happen late this year.

The current Czech EU presidency, and the Swedes who will take over the helm next month, are preparing to embark on intense talks with the parliamentarians in a bid to secure the necessary support.