EU: The new European Commission takes office today, three weeks later than planned, amid a gathering storm over the French commissioner, Mr Jacques Barrot, writes Denis Staunton, European Correspondent.
The Commission president, Mr José Manuel Barroso, announced late on Saturday night that Mr Barrot was prepared to appear before the European Parliament to explain the circumstances surrounding his conviction in 2001 for an electoral funding fraud.
"President-designate José Manuel Barroso has contacted today the president of the European Parliament Josep Borrell to inform him that vice-president designate Jacques Barrot will transmit in writing all the necessary information related to his personal situation and that he is at the disposal of the European Parliament," the Commission said in a statement.
The leader of the Liberal group of MEPs, Mr Graham Watson, has called on Mr Barrot to resign without delay, and the leader of the Socialist group has called for an urgent meeting with Mr Barroso to discuss the issue.
"To avoid serious damage to the standing of the new Commission, I call on Mr Barrot to resign, or at the very least to ask to be relieved of his duties until this matter can be discussed and resolved between the Parliament, the Commission and the Council," Mr Watson said.
Mr Barroso is understood to be angry that Mr Barrot neglected to mention the conviction, which was later quashed under a presidential amnesty, during the negotiations to form the new Commission. Mr Barroso pressed Mr Barrot to accept the justice and home affairs portfolio but the French conservative declined, taking the transport post instead.
Mr Barrot's friends point out that, because of the amnesty, the Frenchman has no criminal record and has never been barred from taking public office. Under the terms of the amnesty, Mr Barrot cannot appeal against the conviction and the French press is not allowed to refer to it.
The row is likely to cast a shadow over Mr Barroso's first day as Commission president and to prevent him from focusing on his agenda of economic reform.
The affair highlights the newly assertive approach of MEPs in their relations with the Commission and Mr Barroso's vulnerability as he seeks to promote a centre-right, economically liberal agenda without a centre-right majority in the European Parliament.
Mr Barroso will outline his plans for the Commission's five-year term in a major speech tomorrow at the College of Europe in Bruges.