The incoming European Commission faces almost certain rejection by the European Parliament today, pushing the EU into an unprecedented political crisis, writes Denis Staunton in Strasbourg.
The Socialist, Green and far-left GUE groups of MEPs were last night preparing to vote almost unanimously against the commission, as were 50 of the 88 liberals.
Estimates last night put the number of MEPs against the commission close to 350, with fewer than 310 in favour.
The new commission president-designate, Mr Jose Manuel Barroso, pleaded with MEPs in Strasbourg yesterday to support the commission despite their reservations about the appointment of Mr Rocco Buttiglione, an Italian conservative, as Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner.
Mr Barroso ruled out moving Mr Buttiglione, who offended MEPs with remarks on homosexuality, marriage and immigration, to a different post. However, he promised new initiatives to combat discrimination against minorities.
"If our commission fails to win your support, I don't think we can speak of a victory for one side or another. It will be a bad moment for the whole of Europe."
The Socialist leader, Mr Martin Schulz, accused Mr Barroso of ignoring the parliamentary hearings, a six-week process that revealed reservations among MEPs about a number of commissioners-designate.
He rejected accusations that the commission's opponents were precipitating an institutional crisis.
"If you fail to get a majority, it is not an institutional crisis. It is simply a normal part of the process, a normal right of a freely-elected parliament."
If MEPs reject the new commission today, Mr Romano Prodi's commission, which was due to leave office next week, will remain in place until a new team is approved.
EU leaders are to meet in Rome on Friday to sign the constitutional treaty agreed under the Irish presidency in June, and are expected to consider how to resolve the impasse.
Ireland's prospective commissioner, Mr Charlie McCreevy, struck a relaxed tone in Strasbourg yesterday, but declined to speculate on the outcome of today's vote.
"The parliament has the role of having the commissioners-designate before each committee. This is all part of the process in arriving at the president and the commission."
In Dublin, Government sources believed the crisis would not impact on the political future of Mr McCreevy. He will remain as the Internal Market Commissioner-designate even if the commission fails to get the European Parliament's approval.
"He did very well in the European Parliament hearings. There will be no pressure from anyone for him to be moved," predicted one Government source last night.
The Government sought information yesterday on what will happen if the parliament actually vetoes the new commission. "We are in uncharted waters," The Irish Times was told.
Among Irish MEPs, all Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil representatives are planning to vote in favour of the commission, but Labour's Mr Proinsias de Rossa and Sinn Féin's Ms Mary-Lou McDonald will vote against. Independent MEP Ms Marian Harkin had yet to decide how to vote yesterday, while the second Independent, Ms Kathy Sinnott, could not be contacted.
Mr Barroso angered some MEPs by accusing those who planned to vote against his team of forming an alliance with populist extremists who oppose European integration.
"Is it right for you to vote with extremists who want nothing to do with the EU?
"Doesn't it seem strange that those populists who have constantly been fighting European integration can vote together with you, who are convinced Europeans?"