| 22.07.2004 On 22 July 2004, in a vote held by secret ballot, members of the European Parliament voted to approve the appointment of José Manuel Barroso as the new President of the European Commission (EC). The incumbent President therefore declared Mr. Barroso approved as Commission President. Mr. Barroso has to compose a team of 24 Commissioners, which has to be approved by the European Parliament by the end of October, and take office on 1 November. The new Commission will take up the work of President Prodi's Commission and deal with the future trends and challenges facing the European Union (EU). | 
