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New EU boss must understand public anger, says Osborne I'm not a candidate for EC job, says IMF boss Lagarde
(35 minutes later)
Whoever heads the European Commission must understand "the need for change", UK Chancellor George Osborne has said. IMF chief Christine Lagarde has ruled herself out of the race to be the next president of the European Commission.
When deciding who should get the job, he told the BBC, the EU must not ignore its "weak" economic record and the anger shown by voters in recent polls. Ms Lagarde said she intends to see out her five-year term as boss of the world's financial watchdog, adding: "I am not a candidate. I have a job."
The UK is opposed to the frontrunner for the job, Jean-Claude Juncker, believing he represents the status quo. The possibility of Ms Lagarde taking the job had reportedly been discussed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande.
But Mr Juncker, the former prime minister of Luxembourg, has the backing of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The UK has made clear its opposition to frontrunner Jean-Claude Juncker.
Shortly before joining Ms Lagarde at an IMF press conference in London, Chancellor George Osborne underlined the UK's view that whoever heads the European Commission must understand "the need for change" and not ignore the EU's "weak" economic record and the anger shown by voters in recent polls.
'Desperate' attacks
Asked at the press conference if she would consider leading the Commission after current president Jose Manuel Barroso steps down in October, Ms Lagarde said she intended to see out her term at the IMF, which ends in 2016.
Analysis
The BBC's Chris Morris writes: Luxembourg's Jean-Claude Juncker is officially "more confident than ever" that he will get the job, but efforts by his supporters to present victory as a fait accompli have been stopped in their tracks. EU diplomats close to Mr Juncker admit that some countries are sceptical, but they insist that only one - the UK - is openly opposed to their man. He could still win, but it won't be easy.
"On this EU thing, I am not a candidate," said the former French finance minister.
"I have a job, I happen to think it is a rather important job and I intend to complete my term."
Mr Juncker, the former prime minister of Luxembourg, has the backing of the German chancellor.
The decision on who will lead the EU's executive body has become increasingly acrimonious, with Mr Juncker accusing the British media of seeking to sabotage his candidacy and making "desperate" attacks on him.The decision on who will lead the EU's executive body has become increasingly acrimonious, with Mr Juncker accusing the British media of seeking to sabotage his candidacy and making "desperate" attacks on him.
As the preferred candidate of the European People's Party, the centre-right grouping which won the most seats in last month's European Parliament elections, Mr Juncker is in poll position to take the key job. As the preferred candidate of the European People's Party, the centre-right grouping which won the most seats in last month's European Parliament elections, Mr Juncker is in pole position to take the key job.
Public angerPublic anger
But several countries, including the UK, Sweden and Hungary, are unwilling to support him, feeling that he is not a dynamic reformer and has an unswerving belief in closer political union between EU member states.But several countries, including the UK, Sweden and Hungary, are unwilling to support him, feeling that he is not a dynamic reformer and has an unswerving belief in closer political union between EU member states.
Other candidates have been touted - including IMF boss Christine Lagarde and ex-WTO boss Pascal Lamy - although opponents of Mr Juncker have not coalesced around a single individual. Other candidates in addition to Ms Lagarde have been touted - including ex-WTO boss Pascal Lamy - although opponents of Mr Juncker have not coalesced around a single individual.
Mrs Lagarde has said she intends to complete her term at the IMF and refused to be drawn into speculation about the European Commission role.
She told a press conference: "I am not a candidate. I have a job, I happen to think it's a rather important job and I intend to complete my term. I think that is a very clear position on my part."
Asked about the UK's stance on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Osborne did not mention Mr Juncker by name and said he would not discuss individuals.Asked about the UK's stance on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Osborne did not mention Mr Juncker by name and said he would not discuss individuals.
But he said: "We need people running these European institutions who clearly understand the need for change. We have just had European elections where, not just in this country but across Europe, people said very clearly they were not happy with how Europe was working.But he said: "We need people running these European institutions who clearly understand the need for change. We have just had European elections where, not just in this country but across Europe, people said very clearly they were not happy with how Europe was working.
"Anyone who wants one of these important jobs in Europe and they affect all of our lives, needs to demonstrate, in my view, that they understand people's anger at what has gone wrong in Europe and understand the need for change in Europe.""Anyone who wants one of these important jobs in Europe and they affect all of our lives, needs to demonstrate, in my view, that they understand people's anger at what has gone wrong in Europe and understand the need for change in Europe."
Mr Osborne said the slow recovery of much of the eurozone from the recession, in contrast with the UK's faster growth, showed the need for new thinking in Brussels.Mr Osborne said the slow recovery of much of the eurozone from the recession, in contrast with the UK's faster growth, showed the need for new thinking in Brussels.
He added: "Britain is seeking change for Europe's sake, not just Britain's sake... we have got to have a response across Europe to the election results, the weak economic performance, we have got to have change in Europe."He added: "Britain is seeking change for Europe's sake, not just Britain's sake... we have got to have a response across Europe to the election results, the weak economic performance, we have got to have change in Europe."
Mrs Merkel, who has given Mr Juncker her public backing, discussed the issue with Mr Cameron on the fringes of a meeting of G7 leaders in Brussels on Thursday. Ms Merkel, who has given Mr Juncker her public backing, discussed the issue with Mr Cameron on the fringes of a meeting of G7 leaders in Brussels on Thursday.
'Harassed'
Mr Juncker has said he is becoming increasingly frustrated at the way his candidacy is being portrayed by the press in Britain.
When asked for an interview by the BBC on Thursday, he declined to answer any questions, saying he was "not a spokesman for the British prime minister".
But the BBC understands that at a private meeting of the EPP group in Brussels on Thursday, Mr Juncker expressed deep annoyance at his treatment.
At that meeting, Mr Juncker is reported to have said he will not "give in" to calls for him to withdraw and or be forced to "get on my knees before the British".
German newspaper Sud-deutsche Zeitung quoted him as saying: "The tabloid press has occupied my house, photographers have harassed neighbours and reporters have asked neighbours about my family stories."
Mr Juncker reportedly added that he did not understand the hostility from Britain and had spoken to every EU leader apart from Mr Cameron in recent days.
However, he is also said to have indicated his willingness to negotiate.However, he is also said to have indicated his willingness to negotiate.
EU leaders traditionally choose the Commission head on their own, but under new rules have to "take into account" the results of the European elections.EU leaders traditionally choose the Commission head on their own, but under new rules have to "take into account" the results of the European elections.