Exchange of damaged goods

Date: 28/01/1999

French players of the game are juggling two names, as both current holders of the office are expected to move on.

Research Commissioner Edith Cresson is regarded as damaged goods and, according to the latest gossip, will be replaced by French Culture Minister Catherine Trautmann who, as mayor of Strasbourg, has done so much to make MEPs feel at home there. The other French incumbent, Yves-Thibault de Silguy, apparently has plans to find somewhere to bask in the reflected glory of the euro launch but is keeping his intentions to himself at the moment.

Meanwhile, with External Relations Commissioner Manuel Marín also likely to be a victim of recent adverse publicity, Spanish tittle-tattle favours a Brussels job for the EU's envoy to Bosnia Carlos Westendorp, keeping the Spanish Socialist Party flag flying.

Former Spanish Finance Minister Pedro Solbes also has a keen interest in Euro-jobs, although many believe he might be more attracted by the presidency of the European Investment Bank when Sir Brian Unwin retires later this year.