Rutte believes search for European Commissioner is premature

Political leaders from the Netherlands, Germany, UK and Sweden met in Stockholm today to discuss reforms in European politics. It is likely that the succession of the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, was also discussed.

Prime Minister (PM) of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, said he believes that “it (is) premature to put forward names for who should replace Jose Manuel Barroso as head of the commission...we should first focus on content, discuss what the new commission should do… then discuss who fits that profile.” This opinion seems to resonate with the Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt.

Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, has publicly supported former Luxembourg PM Jean-Claude Juncker to take the most powerful job in Brussels, whilst David Cameron has the backing of fellow British politicians in his attempt to stop Mr. Juncker from being appointed.

Mr Rutte flew to the Republic of Ireland this evening to discuss the appointment of the next European Commissioner with PM of Ireland Edna Kenny. Neither of them belong to the European People’s Party (EPP) which has nominated Mr Juncker for the role.