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Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 11097
INSTITUTIONAL / (ae) ep 2014

Verhofstadt wishes to be the alternative

Brussels, 10/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - The meeting of the German, British, Swedish and Dutch leaders in Harpsund, Sweden, has provided hope to the leader of the ALDE Group, Guy Verhofstadt, who wrote an open letter on Tuesday 10 June, explaining that his programme for the European Commission was precisely what that they were calling for, with a good mix of growth, an end to obstacles on the internal market and refocusing the EU on what is most important. The Belgian leader, who is currently sidelined from discussions between the candidates of the EPP and the PES, Jean-Claude Juncker and Martin Schulz respectively, still cherishes the hope of being the compromise candidate for the Commission, as Juncker is winning no popularity contests and Schulz does not have the blessing of Angela Merkel to take over at the Commission. Possibly more realistically, an S&D/ALDE ticket for the presidency of the European Parliament is also on the Liberals' wish list. The ALDE Group will meet constitutively on 17 June and will vote on, amongst other things, the N-VA. Verhofstadt will also meet Herman Van Rompuy on 12 June to discuss the “top jobs” process. (SP)

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