Not on the job yet and already under attack: Jose Manuel Barroso

EU Commission President Prodi indicated Friday that his team was prepared for an extension of its term as the crisis over incoming President Barroso's choice of commissioners continued to rage in Brussels. A spokesman for outgoing EU Commission President Romano Prodi said in Brussels on Friday that in light of the continuing controversy over incoming President Jose Manuel's nomination of Rocco Buttiglione as justice chief, Prodi's team would continue in office if needed and carry on with their responsibilities. He added that though the EU Commission still hadn't "officially" discussed the issue, they would have to if the European Parliament rejected Barroso's controversial team of commissioners in the coming week. The drastic statement follows frantic efforts by a besieged Barroso on Thursday to persuade the European Parliament to back his team of commissioners. Barroso offered some concessions to MEPs to try to defuse the crisis over his choice of Rocco Buttiglione as justice and security commissioner.