Mr Barroso was formally asked to declare his candidacy by Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer during talks following the results of the European Parliament elections.

The Czech Republic currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency and PM Fischer will chair a summit of EU leaders on 18-19 June, which will discuss the appointment.

Mr Barroso is in a strong position following the victory of his centre-right political allies in last week’s elections.

Barroso, the former conservative prime minister of Portugal, has held the EC post since November 2004.