Vote during the plenary session in Strasbourg on the approval on the nomination of Romano PRODI for President of the Commission, followed by his press conference

plenary session

vote

press conference

PRODI, Romano (IT)

VERHEUGEN, Günter (DE)

appointment of the President of the European Commission (T)

appointment of Romano PRODI as EC President 1999 (T)

Vote of approval on the nomination of Romano PRODI for President of the Commission, followed by his press conference

Announcement of the results by Jose Maria GIL ROBLES - Vote, Results : total : 505, in favour 392, against 72, abstentions 41

SOUNDBITE (English), Romano PRODI, On the future composition of the Commission, he wants a political equilibrium and an  equilibrium between men and women, he wants a substantional number of women. He will not announce names before 13 June, and for the first plenary session of the new parliament on 20/21 July he will be ready to announce the new Commission.

SOUNDBITE (English), Romano PRODI, He wants to impose international cabinets for commissioners and he will start by naming a non italian as head of his cabinet.

SOUNDBITE (English), Romano PRODI, With the new Amsterdam Treaty the President of the Commission has veto right on commissioner but he can not dismiss a commissioner.  He can take away the portfolio, and if necessary bring it down to nothing