Brussels, 26/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - Belgian Liberal Guy Verhofstadt is expected to announce next week that he will stand as a candidate to lead the ALDE grouping in the European elections in May 2014.
He made the announcement in the Reyers Laat programme on Flemish TV station Canvas on Monday 25 November. If victorious, the former head of the Liberals at the European Parliament would become President of the European Commission, a job he has been aiming for since 2004.
The Liberal grouping will be holding a congress in London later in the week. Other Liberal candidates have until 20 December to announce their candidature and the Liberals will announce their official candidate in early February 2014. Euro Commissioner Olli Rehn of Finland has also expressed interest. (MB/transl.fl)