Strasbourg, France  - The European Parliament was set Wednesday to re-elect Jose Manuel Barroso for a second five-year term as head of the European Union's executive arm, the European Commission.

Barroso, a conservative politician from Portugal, needs a simple majority from the 736-strong assembly.

He enjoys the backing of the largest group in parliament, the European People's Party (EPP), and of most liberal-democrat MEPs.

His re-election was seen as virtually a done deal after the second-largest group in parliament, the left-of-centre Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats (S&D), announced Wednesday that most of its lawmakers would abstain.

But pundits warned that the extent of his victory could be undermined by the fact that the vote is taking place by secret ballot, meaning some of those MEPs who have pledged their support in public may end up voting against him.

In an address to parliament on Tuesday, Barroso called for a stronger Europe and defended its socially inclusive model as he sought the broadest possible backing from parliament.

An absolute majority of 369 votes would give Barroso a strong mandate as he seeks to push through tough reforms over the coming years.

In his speech to parliament, Barroso vowed to take on the interest of big monopolies in France and Germany by calling for more competition in the EU's energy sector.

He also promised to review the EU's budget and to push for a European-wide tax to give his executive more control over its resources.

His next team of commissioners would include an official tasked with tackling one of Europe's most pressing problems, immigration, and a dedicated Commissioner for Climate Action, Barroso said.

A former prime minister of Portugal, Barroso enjoys the unanimous support of the European Union's 27 governments and is standing unopposed in Wednesday's parliamentary vote. (dpa)