The European parliament has approved a second five-year term for José Manuel Barroso as European Commission president. An absolute majority of MEPs voted for the re-appointment of the former Portuguese prime minister.

European Union leaders unanimously nominated him for a second term in June but there was serious opposition to the move from within the EU's parliament. Socialist, green and, initially also, conservative MEPs, complained that he had shown too little ambition in his first five years.

However, after publication of a list of priorities for his second term and after talks with the various parliamentary factions, Mr Barroso was able to garner enough support for his re-appointment.