STRASBOURG: The European Parliament gave Jose Manuel Barroso another five-year term as European Commission president Wednesday, but its vote reflected lingering misgivings about the conservative ex-Portuguese premier.

In his second mandate as the powerful executive who drafts EU-wide legislation and ensures governments obey it, Barroso promised to respond to the global economic crisis by pushing for changes in the financial sector and its "unethical bonuses" and helping to steer Europe out of its recession.

"The first concern of the European citizens is unemployment and the economic crisis," he told reporters after the 736-member European Union assembly voted 382 to 219, with 117 abstentions, to reappoint him European Commission president.

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country holds the EU presidency, said Barroso's reappointment "gives us the stability needed for fully focusing on important challenges such as the economic crisis and climate change."

The leaders of the 27 EU nations nominated Barroso, 53, for a second term in June after European Parliament elections saw gains for conservative forces in some of Europe's largest economies — an outcome seen as a vindication of company bailouts and fiscal stimulus packages to combat the recession.

Their choice was not warmly endorsed by the EU assembly where many see him as being in the pocket of EU governments.

Ahead of the vote, the head of its 184 socialists, Martin Schulz, said his group would not back Barroso, citing his weak leadership in protecting EU jobs amid the world's worst economic crisis in decades.

The ballot was secret, but comments by political leaders suggested Barroso won the backing of an alliance of Christian Democrats, Liberals and EU-critical Conservatives. The Conservatives include two dozen British Tories who normally disdain the sort of European economic and political integration that Barroso supports.

"Whilst not perfect, (Barroso) remains the best man for the job," said Conservative leader Timothy Kirkhope.

In all, 336 of the 736 European Parliament members — almost 46 percent of the assembly — voted against Barroso or abstained.

The vote paved the way for Barroso to pick his new 26-member team of commissioners in the weeks ahead. They will take office in January.

He said his reappointment will strengthen his hand next week at two important international meetings: a special U.N. discussion in New York about climate change, and the Group of 20 economic summit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Under EU rules, the bloc's leaders pick a new president for the European Commission, but the European Parliament must endorse their choice. Long a toothless talk shop, the assembly has over the years seen its legislative powers increase greatly.

Ahead of the vote, Barroso promised to preserve Europe's social democratic values, protect jobs, help reform the financial sector and consult the European Parliament more on EU issues.

He also said he would fight "ugly nationalism" and appoint commissioners for immigration, climate change, justice and human rights — issues seen close to the hearts of Europeans.

Poul Rasmusen, head of the European Socialists, said now that the EU assembly's "conservative majority" has re-elected Barroso, his party wants to supply a successor to EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who will step down soon. Solana has played an important role in issues such as the international concern over Iran's nuclear program.