Barroso is back

The results of today's secret ballot on Barroso's re-election in Strasbourg were: 382 MEPs in favour, 219 against, and 117 abstentions. This put Barroso well past the threshold of 369 votes he needed to secure an absolute majority and dispel any doubts about his leadership.

If, as at times looked likely, Barroso had gained a simple majority below this threshold it would have seriously weakened his position and he would have been under pressure to face another vote. Now he is free to get on with the job.

So what next?

As Commission President, Barroso is charged with appointing his team of 26 commissioners and allocating their roles by 1 January. This process traditionally involves as great deal of horse-trading with the member states (there is one commissioner from each EU country) over who gets which job. It is a crucial decision, as these are the people Barroso must work with and rely on to draft EU legislation.

And it will also prove a testing ground for some of the many promises Barroso made during his campaign for re-election. One of the compromises he was forced to offer was the creation of a new post of commissioner for civil liberties and minority rights.

The Irish Problem

The 2 October Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty could prove Barroso's first major challenge. A second rejection of the treaty, which is intended to increase cohesion and give the EU more weight on the global stage, would throw plans for the future into crisis.

But if the Treaty comes into force next year, it will create the role of an appointed EU Council president - whoever is chosen will take over the role of EU figurehead that Barroso currently holds and the two will have to figure out a way of working together effectively.

Brussels correspondent Vanessa Mock discusses Barroso's re-election with Euranet's Dave Goodman: