Brussels, 10/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 9 January, former prime minister of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Juncker, said again that he would like to become the next president of the European Commission. In an interview with German radio station RBB, the former head of the Eurogroup and former prime minister of Luxembourg said he was ready to stand for president of the European Commission if the programme and other things are satisfactory. At the recent EPP summit on the fringes of the European summit in Brussels on 19 and 20 December, Juncker expressed interest in running to become the Commission president. Under the Lisbon Treaty, each political party will appoint one person as head of list (who would become the Commission president), who does not need to stand in the European elections.
Currently leader of the opposition in the Luxembourg parliament, Juncker tried to become head of the Commission in 2004, and in 2009 wanted to become the president of the European Council, but was unsuccessful because of his difficult relationship with Nicolas Sarkozy. The German media say that this time, it is Angela Merkel who is opposing the idea, because she wants a current prime minister to get the job. The names of Irish PM Enda Kenny, Finnish PM Jyrki Katainen and Polish PM Donald Tusk have been doing the rounds. These rumours in the press have been denied by Merkel's spokesperson. Some sources say Germany does not oppose the idea of Juncker getting the job. Meanwhile, Juncker is continuing a discreet tour of European capitals. After meeting Herman Van Rompuy this week, he will be in Paris on Thursday to meet François Hollande. The Internal Market Commissioner, Michel Barnier (of France), also has his eyes on the Commission presidency. The EPP will decide on a candidate at a conference in Dublin in March. (SP/transl.fl)