European parliament prolongs Barroso's term by five years more

The European Parliament has agreed to give Jose Manuel Barroso another five-year term as European Commission President, AP reported.

The EU assembly voted 382 to 219, with 117 abstentions, in backing the conservative Portuguese ex-premier for a second term at the EU's executive office.

Wednesday's vote paves the way for Barroso to pick his new 26-member team of commissioners in the weeks ahead.

The European Parliament confirmation vote was the final hurdle Barroso faced. He had already received the unanimous backing from the EU's 27 government leaders in June for a second term.