Brussels, 14/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - A few days ahead of the Summits of the main European parties and of the European Council, the Daily Telegraph has quoted the European Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs, Antonio Vitorino, as being the candidate for the Presidency of the European Commission whom Tony Blair is said to plan to back at the European Council (referring in particular to his expertise in the French language). The Irish press noted that after the poor showing by Fianna Fail in the local and European elections of last Friday, the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern could be disposed to take over from Romano Prodi (having previously stated that he wished to remain Prime Minister of Ireland. According to AFP in Athens, the former Greek Socialist Prime Minister Costas Simitis is apparently back in the race, and has held a discreet meeting with Jean-Claude Juncker, in Luxembourg last Friday, to try to obtain the support of his political family. A Pasok spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied.