EU's Barroso Warns Against ‘Nationalism, Xenophobia' Ahead Of Vote

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (file photo)

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has warned against “nationalism, protectionism, and xenophobia” ahead of European Parliament elections next year.

Barroso made the comments in an interview to Reuters.

He urged the mainstream political parties to speak out for European values, and expressed confidence they would remain largely dominant in the new parliament.

Ahead of the May 2014 elections, opinion polls suggest anti-EU parties as well as the far-right and far-left will gain support amid growing frustration after three years of financial turmoil, contracting growth, and job losses.

Based on reporting by Reuters