The outgoing president of the European Parliament, Mr Pat Cox, has expressed his support for Mr José Manuel Durao Barroso, the agreed nominee for President of the European Commission.
The former Portuguese prime minister was nominated by EU member sates last month after a difficult selection process where Mr Cox was a dark-horse candidate.
Mr Cox's endorsement comes ahead of the European Parliament voting on Mr Barroso's nomination to succeed outgoing President Mr Romano Prodi, next week.
"My own belief is that Mr Barroso who has worked very hard this week ... is a man of considerable political skill and of genuine European conviction, and I believe that the result next week will reflect those qualities," Mr Cox said.
"If I myself had a vote, he would have my support."
Mr Cox, who he was stepping down as president of the European Parliament, is leaving ht e institution after 15 years in the Strasbourg-based assembly.