EU leaders start looking for the next Barroso

EUObserver reported on the 14 October 2013 that despite the long way until the name of the new President of the European Commission will be know, the EU leaders have already started thinking about the subject.

The campaign leaders of Europe's four main political parties have pledged to "put a face" on next year's European election by designating their own candidates for the European Commission presidency.

In the meantime, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said that having public candidates for the Commission presidency during the 2014 EU elections would not be the panacea for Europe’s credibility woes.

In the aftermath of the European Council in October 2013, German Chancellor Angela Merkel poured cold water on hopes the European Commission President candidate of the most popular political party after 2014 EU election would automatically get the post.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background Information: German elections launch Schulz towards Commission presidency http://www.europeansources.info/record/german-elections-launch-schulz-towards-commission-presidency/

EurActiv, 14.10.13: Van Rompuy scorns direct election of Commission president http://www.euractiv.com/eu-elections-2014/van-rompuy-underlines-objections-news-531049

ESO: Background information: Polish minister learning French amid speculation on EU top jobs http://www.europeansources.info/record/polish-minister-learning-french-amid-speculation-on-eu-top-jobs/

EurActiv, 15.10.13: Pascal Lamy should lead European Commission, says Delors http://www.euractiv.com/eu-elections-2014/jacques-delors-pascal-lamy-lead-news-531072

EurActiv, 21.10.13: EU parties line up for Brussels top job nomination http://www.euractiv.com/eu-elections-2014/political-parties-set-nominate-c-news-531166

EUObserver, 21.10.13: Merkel protegee eyes EU career http://euobserver.com/political/121841

EUObserver, 25.10.13: Merkel: EU vote not decisive on commission President http://euobserver.com/political/121906

Blog: The Twenty First, 26.10.13: European Elections 2014 – Merkel intends to turn back democratic progress http://blog.wardenga.eu/?p=206&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=european-elections-2014-merkel-intends-to-turn-back-democratic-progress

ESO: Background information: Barroso: I proposed putting a 'face' on EU elections http://www.europeansources.info/record/barroso-i-proposed-putting-a-face-on-eu-elections/

EurActiv, 29.10.13: German coalition talks cast long shadow over EU elections http://www.euractiv.com/eu-elections-2014/epp-divided-commission-president-news-531372

Blog: The European Citizen, 08.11.13: Merkel, Automaticity and Commission Independence http://theeuropeancitizen.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/merkel-automaticity-and-commission.html

European Parliament; Press Release, 12.12.13: Parliament and EU leaders' relations in the run-up to the European elections http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20131206IPR30035/html/Parliament-and-EU-leaders%27-relations-in-the-run-up-to-the-European-elections

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