The European Parliament (EP) elected the new European Commission (EC) by 488 votes to 137, with 72 abstentions, in Strasbourg on Tuesday.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso(2nd R Front) poses with new European commissioners in Strasbourg, France, on Feb. 9, 2010. The European Parliament voted and approved the new EU Commission on Feb. 9. [Thierry Monasse/Xinhua]

The vote took the form of a single ballot on the whole college of commissioners, consisting of one commissioner from each of the 27 European Union (EU) Member States.

The new 27-member commission led by Jos Manuel Barroso will stay in office until October 31, 2014. By way of comparison, Barroso's first commission was voted into office in November 2004 by 449 votes to 149, with 82 abstentions.

"This is the first time in our history that we are appointing the European Commission in our capacity as a real co-legislator," EP's President Jerzy Buzek said during the debate held on Tuesday morning.

"This is the dawn of a new decade, with a new way of working for the European institutions," he said.

Barroso stressed that accountability to parliament is " crucially important for the commission's democratic legitimacy."

The present exceptional times, with the economic crisis, climate change and energy security issues, meant that now was "a time for boldness," Barroso said.

"We need strong European institutions to tackle these challenges and it was up to the commission and parliament acting together to ensure that the EU is more than the sum of its parts," he added.

The election vote was preceded by hearings of the commissioners- designate organised by the committees of parliament in January and February.

Each committee sent an evaluation letter on the respective commissioner-designate to the Conference of Presidents, a body consisting of the EP President and the political group leaders.

All these evaluations were positive, and on February 4 the Conference of Presidents gave the go-ahead for the vote to take place.