On June 29, 2004, the Heads of State and Government designated José Manuel Durão Barroso as President of the future European Commission. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) calls upon the new Commission to make social Europe a priority in order to answer the worries of European citizens.

"The new President of the Commission will have to be vigilant on the social orientation that he will give to the European Union, declared John Monks, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation. The economic and social stakes are a major preoccupation of European citizens, and therefore we strongly request that Mr Barroso fully implements all the elements of the Lisbon Strategy."

The recent European elections showed on behalf of the citizens, a certain lack of belonging to Europe. The future Commission and the European Union, can regain credibility in being more attentive to the daily and future economic and social problems of workers.

The ETUC will pay particular attention to the social content that Mr. Barroso will give to the new European Executive.