Europe on course for ‘grand coalition’ after election

Despite a rise in anti-European parties, political balances remained broadly unchanged in the European Parliament following the elections on 22-25 May 2014, with the centre-right and centre-left parties on track for a grand coalition.

While disappointed by the results, Martin Schulz, the Social Democrat candidate for the European Commission Presidency, made it clear to his main opponent, Christian Democrat Jean-Claude Juncker, that the battle had 'only just begun'.

The European Green Party, which got its best result in European election so far, stated that it could support a candidate which shared its priorities.

The Austrian chancellor Werner Faymann, a Social Democrat, declared its support to the centre-right EPP candidate Jean-Claude Juncker to be the next Commission President. On the other hand, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he would not support Mr. Juncker.

Also German Chancellor Angela Merkel downplayed the chances of Mr. Juncker becoming the next Commission president on the 26 May 2014, as she emphasised that a majority was needed in both the European Parliament and among member states.

However, on the 30 May 2014 Chancellor Merkel said she wanted Jean-Claude Juncker to become the next EU Commission President, after criticism in Germany about EU leaders ignoring the democratic process.

The European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) claimed on the 25 May 2014 they could act as kingmakers in the appointment of the next Commission President.

German magazine Der Spiegel claimed on the 31 May 2014 that United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron had warned Chancellor Merkel that the UK could leave the EU if Mr Juncker became president of the European Commission as he was seen as too federalist.

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EurActiv, 26.05.14: Defiant ECR predicts kingmaker role in race for Commission Presidency http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-elections-2014/defiant-ecr-predicts-kingmaker-role-race-commission-presidency-302398

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EurActiv, 27.05.14: EU twisting facts to fit political agenda, chief scientist says http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-priorities-2020/eu-twisting-facts-fit-political-agenda-chief-scientist-says-302399

EurActiv, 27.05.14: Strategists: reviewing possible coalition scenarios http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-elections-2014/strategists-reviewing-possible-coalition-scenarios-302418

EurActiv, 27.05.14: Austrian socialist PM backs Juncker for Commission President http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-elections-2014/austrian-socialist-pm-backs-juncker-commission-president-302434

EurActiv, 27.05.14: Unexpected elections result might make Danish PM decline EU job http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-elections-2014/unexpected-elections-result-might-make-danish-pm-decline-eu-job-302435

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Kurier, 29.05.14: Merkel's primitive power tactics (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE144261-European-elections-Merkel-s-primitive-power-tactics

BBC News, 01.06.14: UK 'threatens to quit EU over presidency' - Der Spiegel http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27653359

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