Angela Merkel still backing Juncker for EU top job
10 June 2014 Last updated at 07:01 ET
Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt (far right) was hosting the talks at his summer residence in Harpsund
Jean-Claude Juncker: The numbers game
The German chancellor has given Jean-Claude Juncker her backing
The four leaders took to the river for a spot of relaxation before the talks began in earnest
Angela Merkel still backing Juncker for EU top job
Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt (far right) was hosting the talks at his summer residence in Harpsund
Germany's Angela Merkel has restated her support for Jean-Claude Juncker to take over as president of the European Commission, at a mini-summit in Sweden.
The chancellor said that while she was "happy" to say she wanted Mr Juncker for the top job, it was not "the main topic" of the two-day talks.
British PM David Cameron, who wants a less federalist candidate, said reform of EC policies had been the priority.
The talks also included the leaders of Sweden and the Netherlands.
The four centre-right politicians met in Harpsund, near the capital, Stockholm, to try to reach a consensus on European reform.
Job creation, economic growth and structural reforms to boost EU competitiveness were also discussed at the meeting, which finished on Tuesday morning.
The German chancellor has given Jean-Claude Juncker her backing- EU leaders split over whether Jean-Claude Juncker can drive the changes many want in the EU
- Juncker seen as traditional Brussels "insider" by UK - some other EU leaders also against him
- Germany's Chancellor Merkel backs Juncker - but stresses that leaders must agree on EU priorities first
- In anti-Juncker camp, UK PM David Cameron appears to have Netherlands, Sweden and Hungary as allies - and possibly Italy
- Support from Italy could be key for UK to block Juncker, as big countries have more voting weight
- Juncker also needs European Parliament approval
- Parliament says Juncker is first choice as his centre-right European People's Party (EPP) bloc won election and leaders must take account of result
- But Juncker would need 376 votes in 751-seat parliament - not clear he could get that
- Juncker would get support of EPP and Liberals, but big Socialist bloc looks split and many other MEPs would oppose him
Mrs Merkel said the mini-summit's focus had been on "policy which is what is really important for Europe and its citizens".
"I have said it in Germany and so I will again here: Jean-Claude Juncker is my candidate for the position of Commission president and I want to have him as Commission president," she told journalists at the end of the meeting.
"But that hasn't been the main point. We didn't talk about hypothetical situations and we don't have to answer questions about them."
'Unhelpful'
Mr Cameron, who strongly opposes Mr Juncker's belief in a closer political union between EU member states, said the right leaders were needed to reform Europe.
"If the European Union doesn't go in that direction, that would be unhelpful," he said.
The four leaders took to the river for a spot of relaxation before the talks began in earnest
Mr Cameron has promised British voters a referendum on EU citizenship in 2017, if he gets re-elected next year.
"Obviously the approach that the European Union takes between now and then will be very important," he added.
Sweden and the Netherlands share the UK's opposition to Mr Juncker.
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.
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 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. BBC
Comments