Brussels, 07/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - The path of Jean-Claude Juncker, the former president of the Eurogroup and currently an EPP candidate to succeed European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, seems to become a little easier every day. On Thursday 6 February, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel publicly stated her “affection” for Juncker. Finland's Prime Minster Jyrki Katainen, also a potential candidate for the Commission presidency, has set aside the ambitions attributed to him for the post of Commission president.
It was during a press conference of new Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel, who was visiting Berlin on 6 February, that Merkel spoke of her keenness for Juncker. “It is not a secret that I have great affection” for Juncker, even if “a decision on this has not yet been taken within the EPP”, she said. The Euractiv website reported the comments of people close to Katainen on Thursday, according to which Katainen will reportedly not submit his candidacy. This was confirmed by Pasi Rajala, the Finnish prime minister's special adviser on European affairs.
Those who remain in the running are therefore Juncker, supported by Luxembourg, and Michel Barnier, who is currently the European commissioner for the internal market and services. The name of Latvia's former prime minister, Valdis Dombrovskis, also continues to do the rounds. In line with the UK's Prime Minister David Cameron, the British press is campaigning for the current head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde - an ideal technocrat, according to the Financial Times, who would be perfect to fill Barroso's post. The official application process in the EPP is due to begin on 13 February. The final choice will be made in Dublin on 6-7 March. (SP/transl.fl)