Challengers for the president

Date: 01/10/1998

Speculation about the identity of the next European Commission president has taken a new twist after suggestions that former Spanish Premier Felipe González's star is waning.

Incumbent Jacques Santer appears to have acquired a taste for the job he first took rather reluctantly and would like to stay on for a further five years, if asked to. Meanwhile, those on the political left are looking for a credible challenger and are testing the water for Portuguese Socialist Prime Minister António Guterres. But while he would have many supporters, Guterres may come under pressure to remain in Portugal to help his party.