Welt am Sonntag: Merkel supporting Juncker for European Commission Presidency

According to the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, Brussels and Berlin sources confirmed the rumour. The EPP to choose its candidate in Dublin on March 6

Jean-Claude Juncker could become the next European Commission President, if EPP got the post again, according to the German newspaper “Welt am Sonntag”. Citing “informed sources,” both in Brussels and in Berlin, the newspaper has reassured today that the former Prime Minister of Luxembourg is now supported by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, after his official candidacy as José Manuel Barroso’s successor. No detail added, yet “Welt am Sonntag” explained that the CDU had long been uncertain between Mr Juncker and Christine Lagarde, current IMF Managing Director.

Juncker could hence be appointed as the official candidate during the next EPP congress, on 6 march in Dublin. According to “Welt am Sonntag”, there shouldn’t be any other candidate: the possibility for the French Michel Barnier seems already evanished.

Choosing Juncker could be a sign indeed: he has a highly pro-Europe profile, with remarkably positive relationships both European institutions, in particular with the European Parliament – which will play a major role in choosing the European Commission President this time. Sore point, Luxembourg had already had 2 EC Presidents out of 12 – the latest, Jacques Santer, resigned six months before the end of his term because of a scandal involving some of his Commissioners. Not such a positive reminder.