Barroso under fire from MEPs over electoral payments investigation

European commission president José Manuel Barroso is coming under increasing pressure to publicly respond to allegations that Portugal’s social democratic party received illegal electoral payments in 2002 when he was head of the party.

According to Portuguese press reports, Lisbon’s constitutional tribunal has examined documents that suggest that more than €233,000 was funnelled to the PSD through a construction company, flouting the country’s electoral rules.

The European commission has refused to comment on the inquiry arguing that the issue is a Portuguese and not an EU matter.

“This is a purely national issue,” said a commission spokeswoman on Friday.

However Belgian Green MEP Bart Staes told theParliament.com that the investigation could have wider EU implications and wants the commission chief to explain his knowledge of the allegations to MEPs.

Staes is keen to emphasise that the commission chief has not been accused of any wrongdoing and is “innocent until proven guilty."

“However, if it’s proven that money was given to the PSD and Barroso was aware of it then it’s not purely a Portuguese question,” said Staes.

“I’m a pro-European not a Eurosceptic, but article 213.1 of the treaty states that commissioners must have a certain integrity and independence. It would be wiser for Barroso to put his cards on the table and tell parliament what is going on."

“Would Barroso have been nominated as commission president if these allegations were known in 2004? Would the European parliament have accepted his candidature?”

Staes has also tabled a written question to the commission asking whether any EU contracts have been awarded to the construction company at the centre of the allegations, Somague, and has called for European anti-fraud office (OLAF) involvement.

The Green MEP says that he hopes that parliament’s group leaders will take up the call for Barroso to make a statement to deputies when MEPs return to Brussels next week.

Fellow Belgian MEP Dirk Sterckx also wants Barroso to address parliament’s concerns.

“The Portuguese investigation has to be completed.  It’s not for me to judge,” the ALDE deputy told this website.

“But I wouldn’t be against the commission president releasing a statement or explanation to the parliament on the investigation.  These are after all serious allegations.”

“I would not be surprised if the issue came up during the parliament’s group meetings when MEPs return to Brussels next week."

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