Brussels, 17/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - There is no agreement between the PES and the EPP-ED to split the future Presidency of the European Parliament, PES President , the Dane Poul Nyrup Rasmussen told the press on Thursday, waving away suggestions of a "technical" agreement between the groups. Nor did the PES President care to comment on names circulating for the post of President of the European Commission.
The PES will put forward its candidate for the post of Parliament President on 6 July, the day after the group President is elected, announced Mr Rasmussen. "We are not making any technical agreements with anyone", he said, adding that consultations were underway with the various political groups of the Parliament, and "we are working hard to make sure that our candidate is voted in for half of the period" of the Parliament President's mandate.
"It is not up to us to present a candidate" for the post of Commission President, said Mr Rasmussen. The PES will take position once the Council has taken its decision. But Mr Rasmussen feels that the Council's choice "should be based on the qualifications" of the candidate, who should have "communication skills". Lastly, it should be "someone who unites, rather than someone who divides", he concluded. When asked about the EPP-ED candidate, the External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten, he said "it is a name among others".