José Manuel Barroso to announce shock retirement from politics?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Lisbon
  • Last updated on

European Commission president created a stir on Wednesday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.

Sad news for Barroso fans. Speculation had been rife that the European Commission president is about to announce his retirement from politics, at age 69, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 15/01/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a politician isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a politician just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouJosé Manuel

For a little while on Wednesday evening, #ThankYouJosé Manuel was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“José Manuel Barroso was unlike any other politician we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouJosé Manuel”
— @universalObserver, 14 Jan 2026
“Didn't José Manuel Barroso retire about 3 years ago?”
— @samy2love, 14 Jan 2026

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