European Commission President Speaks Out Against Austerity

Wants emphasis to be on stimulating the economy in the short term

BRUSSELS—The European Union's chief bureaucrat said the bloc should place a greater emphasis on policies that stimulate growth in the short term, and less on cutting government spending.

In a speech Monday, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said the policy of austerity pursued by the EU in recent years no longer has the political and social support needed to work.