# José Manuel Durão Barroso

> Portuguese politician (born 1956)

**Wikidata**: [Q15849](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15849)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/José_Manuel_Barroso)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jose-manuel-durao-barroso

## Summary

José Manuel Durão Barroso is a Portuguese politician and teacher born on March 23, 1956, who served as President of the European Commission from 2004 to 2010, becoming the first Portuguese person to hold that position. He is known for leading the Barroso Commission, shaping European Union policy during a significant period of expansion and governance, and for his extensive career in Portuguese and European politics spanning several decades.

## Biography

- **Born**: March 23, 1956
- **Nationality**: Portuguese
- **Education**: Studied at Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.), University of Geneva, and other institutions including Q10279415, Q128047, and Q503473
- **Known for**: Serving as President of the European Commission (2004-2010); leading the Barroso Commission; shaping EU policy during the 2004 enlargement
- **Employer(s)**: European Commission (President 2004-2010); Government of Portugal (various ministerial positions)
- **Field(s)**: International relations, politics, European Union affairs

## Contributions

José Manuel Durão Barroso's career encompasses significant contributions to European and Portuguese politics:

- **President of the European Commission (2004-2010)**: Led the executive branch of the European Union, overseeing the historic 2004 enlargement that brought ten new member states into the EU. The Barroso Commission served as the college of commissioners during this period.

- **Portuguese Political Leadership**: Held various ministerial positions in the Portuguese government before ascending to the European Commission presidency.

- **Academic and Policy Work**: As a teacher and expert in international relations, contributed to academic discourse on European affairs and international relations through his positions at Georgetown University (Walsh School of Foreign Service) and the University of Geneva.

- **International Diplomacy**: Engaged in numerous diplomatic initiatives during his tenure as Commission President, representing the EU in global forums and negotiations.

## FAQs

**What positions has José Manuel Durão Barroso held in the European Union?**

José Manuel Durão Barroso served as President of the European Commission from 2004 to 2010, leading the Barroso Commission. He was the first Portuguese person to hold this position, representing the EU's executive branch and overseeing significant policy decisions during the EU's largest enlargement.

**What is José Manuel Durão Barroso's educational background?**

Barroso studied at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and the University of Geneva in Switzerland. He also attended additional educational institutions identified as Q10279415, Q128047, and Q503473 in the source material.

**What awards and honors has José Manuel Durão Barroso received?**

Barroso has received numerous international honors including the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour (France), Steiger Award (Germany, 2005), Robert Schuman Medal (EPP Group), Order of Liberty (Ukraine, 2008), Order of Prince Henry (Portugal), Order of the Southern Cross (Brazil), Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (United Kingdom), and many others. He also holds honorary doctorates from Haifa University, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, University of Economics in Bratislava, University of Auckland, and University of Łódź.

**What is the Barroso Commission?**

The Barroso Commission refers to the college of European Commissioners led by José Manuel Durão Barroso from 2004 to 2010. This commission oversaw a significant period in EU history, including the 2004 enlargement that expanded the EU to 25 member states.

**What is José Manuel Durão Barroso's field of work?**

Barroso works in the field of international relations and politics. His career has focused on European affairs, diplomatic relations, and governmental leadership within Portugal and the European Union.

## Why They Matter

José Manuel Durão Barroso matters as a pivotal figure in European political history. As President of the European Commission during one of the most significant expansion periods of the EU, he oversaw the integration of ten new member states in 2004, fundamentally reshaping the European political landscape. His leadership during the Barroso Commission (2004-2010) addressed critical challenges facing the EU including economic coordination, enlargement policy, and the EU's role in global affairs.

His Portuguese nationality made him the first person from Portugal to lead the European Commission, representing a milestone for smaller EU member states in attaining the union's top administrative position. Through his academic work at institutions like Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service and the University of Geneva, he contributed to shaping the next generation of international relations scholars and practitioners.

Barroso's extensive network of international honors reflects his standing within global diplomatic circles and his contributions to fostering relations between the EU and numerous countries worldwide. His influence extends beyond his formal positions through ongoing engagement in policy discussions and academic discourse on European integration and international relations.

## Notable For

- First Portuguese President of the European Commission (2004-2010)
- Led the Barroso Commission during the EU's 2004 enlargement to 25 member states
- Recipient of the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour (France)
- Recipient of the Steiger Award (Germany, 2005)
- Holder of the Robert Schuman Medal (EPP Group peace award)
- Recipient of Order of Liberty (Ukraine, 2008)
- Honorary doctor from multiple universities including Haifa University, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, University of Economics in Bratislava, University of Auckland, and University of Łódź
- Recipient of over 30 international orders and honors
- Professor/teacher in international relations
- Graduate of Georgetown University and University of Geneva

## Body

### Early Life and Education

José Manuel Durão Barroso was born on March 23, 1956. His educational path took him to several prestigious international institutions, including Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he engaged with the Walsh School of Foreign Service, one of Europe's leading schools of international affairs. He also studied at the University of Geneva in Switzerland, a historic institution founded in 1559. His academic formation in international relations provided the foundation for his subsequent political career.

### Political Career in Portugal

Before ascending to the European Commission presidency, Barroso held various positions within the Portuguese government, developing expertise in national and European politics. His trajectory within Portuguese politics positioned him as a prominent figure in the country's political landscape, eventually leading to his nomination as European Commissioner and subsequently as Commission President.

### European Commission Presidency (2004-2010)

Barroso's tenure as President of the European Commission from 2004 to 2010 marked a significant chapter in EU history. The Barroso Commission led the EU through its largest enlargement in 2004, when ten new countries joined the union, dramatically expanding the EU's membership and influence. This period required navigating complex negotiations, integrating diverse political systems, and establishing new institutional frameworks.

As Commission President, Barroso represented the EU in international forums, conducted diplomatic relations with third countries, and oversaw the commission's executive functions across all policy areas. His leadership encompassed economic governance, external relations, enlargement policy, and the EU's response to various challenges facing the continent.

### Academic Contributions

Beyond his political career, Barroso has contributed to academia as a teacher in international relations. His association with Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service and the University of Geneva demonstrates his ongoing engagement with the academic study of international relations, a field identified as his primary area of work in the source material.

### International Recognition and Honors

Barroso's career has earned him extensive international recognition. He has received over 30 orders and honors from countries around the world, including:

- **French honors**: Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour
- **German recognition**: Steiger Award (2005), Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- **Portuguese honors**: Order of Christ, Order of Prince Henry
- **British recognition**: Order of Saint Michael and Saint George
- **Brazilian honors**: Order of the Southern Cross, Order of Rio Branco
- **Ukrainian recognition**: Order of Liberty (2008)
- **Other European honors**: Order of the Falcon (Iceland), Order of Civil Merit (Spain), Hungarian Order of Merit, Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, Order of Vytautas the Great (Lithuania), Order of Stara Planina (Bulgaria), Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana (Estonia), Order of Charles III (Spain), Order of the White Double Cross (Slovakia), Order of the Golden Fleece (Georgia)
- **Non-European honors**: Order of the Sun of Peru, Order of Ouissam Alaouite (Morocco), National Order of the Ivory Coast, Order of the Republic (Tunisia)
- **Religious/Maltese honors**: Order pro Merito Melitensi, Order of the Tribute to the Republic

### Honorary Academic Recognition

Barroso has received honorary doctorates from several institutions, recognizing his contributions to European integration and international relations:

- Honorary doctorate of Haifa University
- Honorary doctorate from the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis (France)
- Honorary doctor of University of Economics in Bratislava (Slovakia)
- Honorary doctor of the University of Auckland (New Zealand)
- Honorary doctor of the University of Łódź (Poland)

### Legacy and Influence

Barroso's influence extends across European and international politics. His leadership during a critical period of EU expansion helped shape the contemporary European landscape. His work in fostering diplomatic relations between the EU and various partner countries, demonstrated by his extensive list of honors, reflects his contribution to international cooperation.

The breadth of his recognition—from European powers to countries in Latin America, Asia, and Africa—indicates his role as a significant diplomatic figure bridging different regions and political traditions. His academic contributions through teaching and institutional affiliations continue to influence the field of international relations.

### Personal Identification

Barroso's various identifiers in international databases include his IMDB ID (nm1578721), Library of Congress control number (n87889829), and numerous other cataloguing references. His citizenship is Portuguese, and his work has spanned the intersection of national politics, European governance, and international relations scholarship.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Davos 2014 Participant List
4. datos.bne.es
5. [Real Decreto 1641/2011, de 14 de noviembre, por el que se concede la Gran Cruz de la Real y Distinguida Orden Española de Carlos III al Excelentísimo Señor José Manuel Durão Barroso. 2011](https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2011/11/15/pdfs/BOE-A-2011-17867.pdf)
6. [Source](https://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=155&list=1)
7. [Source](http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=153)
8. [Source](http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WMP20040560936)
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10. [Source](https://www.president.ee/en/estonia/decorations/bearer/17525/jose-manuel-durao-barroso)
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15. [ENTIDADES NACIONAIS AGRACIADAS COM ORDENS ESTRANGEIRAS - Página Oficial das Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas](https://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=155&list=1)
16. [Doctor honoris causa](https://euba.sk/veda-vyskum/cestne-tituly/doctor-honoris-causa)
17. [Source](https://www.calendar.auckland.ac.nz/en/university-personnel/honorary-graduates.html)
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26. [Source](https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-059098)
27. Davos 2015 Participant List
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31. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
32. LIBRIS. 2018