The Barroso Commission is the European Commission that has been in office since 22 November 2004 and was due to serve until 31 October 2009. Its president is José Manuel Barroso, who presides over 26 other commissioners (one from each state). on 16 September 2009 Barroso was re-elected by the European Parliament for a further five years.

Barroso was at first seen as the lowest common denominator by outside commentators, but his proposed team of Commissioners earned him some respect before triggering a crisis when the European Parliament objected to some of his team, forcing a reshuffle. In 2007 the Commission gained two new members when Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union. Barroso's handling of his office has been markedly more Presidential than his predecessors.

During his term the Commission has passed major legislation including the REACH and 'Bolkestein' Directives. Commissioners have also become more political and the civil service in the Commission more economically liberal. Barroso was nominated as President and approved by Parliament in July 2004.

However his proposed Commission met with opposition from the Parliament, notably concerning Rocco Buttiglione and his conservative comments which were seen as incompatible with his role as European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security. The opposition plunged the EU into a minor crisis before Barroso conceded to the Parliament and reshuffled his team, removing Buttiglione, and his Commission took office on 22 November 2004. The Commission was joined in 2007 by two further Commissioners when Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU.

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