Brussels, 09/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - In a press statement, Daniel Cohn-Bendit, co-president of the Greens/EFA at the European Parliament sharply criticised Graham Watson president of the Liberal group for the likely deal (according to the Corriere della Sera on Monday) between the Liberals and the EPP (EUROPE yesterday p 5). The German Green criticised the British Liberal, who, "thinks he can decide today on what will happen in the European Parliament in the future". Cohn-Bendit noted that, "His supposed deal is that Hans-Gert Pöttering will become the President of the Parliament…for the next five years, and in return either Guy Verjhofstadt or Pat Cox will become the President of the Commission". Cohn-Bendit pointed out to Watson and Pöttering that it would be up to the majority at parliament to decide on who became the next president. Cohen-Bendit also called on "Watson's potential allies - Prodi, Bayrou and Rutelli - to quickly respond to this supposed deal". Cohn-Bendit was surprised to hear that the Liberal group fighting against Berlusconi in Italy would be prepared to vote for "Berslusconi's top pupil, Hans-Gert Pöttering". However, in an interview, Graham Watson predicted that after the elections Forza Italia would leave the EPP group, which would facilitate ELDR/EPP cooperation.