10 Questions: Jose Manuel Barroso - President of the European Commission

Who would you vote for as President of the World?
Of course we could speak about names, but the point is we do not need a president of the world. In fact I think it is better not to have a president of the world.

Can terrorism destroy democracy?
It could but we are not going to let it happen. Democracy will win battle against terrorism. By having the support of the pulic opinion and using the means for change that a democratic system supplies that we have at our disposal.

Why bother to vote?
Because it is the best way for an ordinary citizen to have an influence in matters of the world.

Are women more democratic than men?
My wife would probably say yes but I believe that women are capable of being equally democratic as men.

Is God Democratic?
I don’t know the opinion of God about democracy but I can tell you the opinion of democracy on religion. In a democracy we defend the right and the freedom of religion just as we do the freedom not to be religious.

Is democracy good for everyone?
It’s the best possible system for the biggest number.

What would make you start a revolution?
Look in my own country we were living in a dicatatorship and I believe that is a good reason to start a revolution. In fact we had a democratic revolution in 1974 when freedom was not respected, when people are not free to say what they think, when people can go to prison for having a different opinion of the government. That is a reason to start a revolution.

Are dictators ever good?
Dictators are simply not acceptable. They are by definition always bad. There are against freedom, and freedom is a basic right of every human being.

Can democracy solve climate change?
I believe yes, yes it can and it can do it better than any other kind of system. Because in a democracy public opinion counts and public opinion is sensitive to the scientific evidence, so we must make the case that democracy can and will solve climate change.