The European Parliament has approved the appointment of José Manuel Barroso as President of the European Commission, It will be Mr Barroso's second five-year term as Commission President.
Mr Barroso was elected by 382 votes in favour, 219 against and 117 abstentions in a vote held by secret ballot on Wednesday. The approval required a simple majority of the votes cast as the vote took place under the rules of the Nice Treaty. Abstentions did not count.