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Tony Blair's chances of becoming EU President looked all but dead today after France and Germany signalled they had a rival candidate.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy delivered a body blow to the former prime minister's hopes of the plum post by hinting that he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had agreed on a less high-profile contender.
As the EU summit broke up in Brussels, Mr Sarkozy said he and Mrs Merkel had agreed “behind the scenes” on their favoured candidate.
Gordon Brown had pushed hard for Mr Blair to get the post, which is set to be created next week when the Czech government finally ratifies the Lisbon Treaty.
But Mr Sarkozy said: “The names that first come out of the hat are not necessarily those that are finally chosen. With Chancellor Merkel, we completely agree that we are going to have the same approach, the same vision and support the same candidate when the time comes.”
Mrs Merkel has suggested that she wants a “chairman” rather than a powerful chief executive as President.
Mr Blair's allies insisted that he was still in the race, but Dutch premier Jan Peter Balkenende was widely seen as the new favourite.
Sources close to Mr Blair said he was relaxed about no longer being seen as the front-runner. “He's not standing by the phone, waiting for a call from Brussels. He's been around the block long enough to realise what happens at summits,” one source said.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband is now in pole position to become the EU's new foreign affairs chief. The socialist group of MPs, which believes it has the final say over the newly-created post, has put forward his name.
Although Mr Miliband has said he's “not available”, his allies say he could “do a Mandelson” by spending a few years in Brussels before returning for a possible Labour leadership bid.
Reader views (12)
It never ceases to baffle me how short-sighted people get when it comes to the EU. There are 4 good reasons why Blair should NOT get the job: 1- the UK never ratified the Shengen agreement. 2- the UK is not part of the Euro. 3- Blair never put Europe on the British political agenda because he knew he had no media support. 4- he took the wrong decision to join Bush in Irak. Need I say more?
- Richard, Paris, France
Teflon Tone sold out all he could to try to buy the presidency. Im pleased he was passed over.
It looks like a German run United States of Europe will soon exist. Shades of 1940!!
- Bob, Radnage, UK
It would certainly be nice for Europe to have a president who had not already ruined his own country and started a war on a false premise.
- Andrew, Hampton Hill
It's not over 'til it's over. I took your advice, Paul, and put money on Tony Blair. He is still the 2-1 favourite.
- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain
Vielen Dank & Merci Beaucoup.
- East, London
Yes...every one is becoming wise to this lying , egotistical toad.
- Rosie, Watford
Poor Tony, to think he thought by not letting us vote for a referendum he might get the top job, sorry Tony, how can you trust politicians.
- Shallotman, Basildon
It doesn’t matter at all what Britain’ politicians want in Europe, or anyone else politicians for that matter; Germany and France are the new Elite in the E,C, and they are the new Bosses of Europe etc.
You have to admire them; they have taken over control of all other European Nations, without firing a single shot.
- Mickinlondon, london
It is not a stitch up - it is good old fashioned common sense. There is no point having such an odious man who (hopefully) will one day be put before a war tribunal as president. Particularly as he wanted the job for the glory it would give him personally. If the emails to yesterday's article are anything to go by a lot of Londoners have sighed a huge sigh of relief. Do not try and twist this the other way round.
- Andy, london
If the Germans are not just being anti British. Might not Lord Chris Patton be a good candidate. He is pro EU, understands both China and the USA and Chancellor of Oxford University so has merit. My fear is Angela Merkel is just being anti British.
- Andrew, London
It hardly have happened to a nicer man.....
- John Smith, Londonistan, Bankrupt Britain, EUSSR
Sigh of relief, at last people are seeing sense!
- Goggs, London
