This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27774235
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Merkel and Cameron in battle over European Commission | Merkel and Cameron in battle over European Commission |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Centre-right leaders from Sweden, Germany, Britain and the Netherlands are meeting near Stockholm to try to reach a consensus on European reform. | Centre-right leaders from Sweden, Germany, Britain and the Netherlands are meeting near Stockholm to try to reach a consensus on European reform. |
| The controversial question of who is to head the European Commission is likely to be discussed, but not officially. | The controversial question of who is to head the European Commission is likely to be discussed, but not officially. |
| UK PM David Cameron is expected to try to get leaders on-side to block Jean-Claude Juncker taking the job. | UK PM David Cameron is expected to try to get leaders on-side to block Jean-Claude Juncker taking the job. |
| It sets him against German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who publicly supports the ex-Luxembourg leader's appointment. | It sets him against German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who publicly supports the ex-Luxembourg leader's appointment. |
| EU leaders have traditionally named the Commission head on their own, but new rules mean they now have to "take into account" the results of the European Parliament elections. | |
| The European People's Party (EPP) - the largest centre-right grouping in the parliament, of which Mr Juncker is a member - won the highest number of seats in May's polls, and he has argued that gives him the mandate. | The European People's Party (EPP) - the largest centre-right grouping in the parliament, of which Mr Juncker is a member - won the highest number of seats in May's polls, and he has argued that gives him the mandate. |
| But observers say neither he nor any other candidate has managed to obtain a majority so far. Some EU leaders, including Mr Cameron, insist that the Commission's priorities need to be re-defined first before an appropriate candidate is chosen. | But observers say neither he nor any other candidate has managed to obtain a majority so far. Some EU leaders, including Mr Cameron, insist that the Commission's priorities need to be re-defined first before an appropriate candidate is chosen. |
| Commission president is the most powerful job in Brussels, shaping EU policy in key areas such as economic reform, immigration and ties with other global powers. | |
| 'Stitch-up' | 'Stitch-up' |
| Few details from the mini-summit in Harpsund have emerged. However, job creation, institutional changes in the EU and structural reforms to boost EU competitiveness were said to be high on the agenda. | Few details from the mini-summit in Harpsund have emerged. However, job creation, institutional changes in the EU and structural reforms to boost EU competitiveness were said to be high on the agenda. |
| The UK, Sweden and the Netherlands are leading a campaign to block Mr Juncker's candidacy, which has the support of the EPP. | The UK, Sweden and the Netherlands are leading a campaign to block Mr Juncker's candidacy, which has the support of the EPP. |
| Before the two-day talks began on Monday, Mr Cameron said he had the support of "all major UK parties" in opposing the appointment. | Before the two-day talks began on Monday, Mr Cameron said he had the support of "all major UK parties" in opposing the appointment. |
| He also spoke to the prime ministers of Italy and Hungary, Matteo Renzi and Viktor Orban, by phone to discuss the matter, Reuters reports. | He also spoke to the prime ministers of Italy and Hungary, Matteo Renzi and Viktor Orban, by phone to discuss the matter, Reuters reports. |
| The BBC's Ben Wright in Harpsund said the scene was set for a lengthy power struggle between EU leaders and the European Parliament, with the UK worried about the prospect of a "stitch-up". | The BBC's Ben Wright in Harpsund said the scene was set for a lengthy power struggle between EU leaders and the European Parliament, with the UK worried about the prospect of a "stitch-up". |
| Mr Cameron is strongly opposed to Mr Juncker's belief in a closer political union between EU member states and has described Brussels as "too big" and "too bossy". | Mr Cameron is strongly opposed to Mr Juncker's belief in a closer political union between EU member states and has described Brussels as "too big" and "too bossy". |
| On arrival in Sweden, Mr Cameron said it should be EU leaders and not the European Parliament who decide who will head the commission. | On arrival in Sweden, Mr Cameron said it should be EU leaders and not the European Parliament who decide who will head the commission. |
| Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt also dismissed the idea of a stronger role for the European Parliament. | Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt also dismissed the idea of a stronger role for the European Parliament. |
| "We in principle dislike the idea of presenting front-runners from the different parties because we think that twists the balance between the institutions and the way that the Lisbon treaty is set up," he said. | "We in principle dislike the idea of presenting front-runners from the different parties because we think that twists the balance between the institutions and the way that the Lisbon treaty is set up," he said. |
| More discussions were needed on the role of the EU commission before looking at names, he added. | More discussions were needed on the role of the EU commission before looking at names, he added. |
| Juncker: For and against | Juncker: For and against |
| Angela Merkel: German chancellor, after some hesitation, backed European People's Party candidate. Some in Germany believe she may be willing to discuss alternatives | Angela Merkel: German chancellor, after some hesitation, backed European People's Party candidate. Some in Germany believe she may be willing to discuss alternatives |
| David Cameron: Opposed to former Luxembourg PM's candidacy - said to see him as a "face from the 1980s" who cannot solve the problems of next five years | David Cameron: Opposed to former Luxembourg PM's candidacy - said to see him as a "face from the 1980s" who cannot solve the problems of next five years |
| Fredrik Reinfeldt: Seen as opposed to Mr Juncker and reports in European media suggest Swedish prime minister himself could be compromise candidate | Fredrik Reinfeldt: Seen as opposed to Mr Juncker and reports in European media suggest Swedish prime minister himself could be compromise candidate |
| Mark Rutte: Dutch PM opposed to Mr Juncker, due to meet Irish prime minister after Swedish summit to discuss alternative candidates | Mark Rutte: Dutch PM opposed to Mr Juncker, due to meet Irish prime minister after Swedish summit to discuss alternative candidates |
| Dutch PM Mark Rutte told reporters that it was premature to put forward names for who should replace Jose Manuel Barroso as head of the commission. | Dutch PM Mark Rutte told reporters that it was premature to put forward names for who should replace Jose Manuel Barroso as head of the commission. |
| "My belief is that we should first focus on content, discuss what the new commission should do... then discuss who fits that profile," he said. | "My belief is that we should first focus on content, discuss what the new commission should do... then discuss who fits that profile," he said. |
| Mrs Merkel said the four leaders would not make a final call on whom they would back, adding that her position was well known. | Mrs Merkel said the four leaders would not make a final call on whom they would back, adding that her position was well known. |
| The decision will be made by the European Council - the official body comprising the 28 leaders - by qualified majority vote. That means no single country can veto the choice. | The decision will be made by the European Council - the official body comprising the 28 leaders - by qualified majority vote. That means no single country can veto the choice. |
| The result is due to be announced at an EU summit on 26-27 June, although an agreement by then is by no means guaranteed. | The result is due to be announced at an EU summit on 26-27 June, although an agreement by then is by no means guaranteed. |