(ANSA) - Rome, June 27 - European Union leaders on Friday
decided to propose that former Luxembourg prime minister
Jean-Claude Juncker become the next president of the European
Commission, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy
announced via Twitter.
The move comes despite staunch opposition to Juncker, the candidate of the European People's Party (EPP) that won the most seats in last month's European Parliament elections, from British Prime Minister David Cameron.
"Decision made," Van Rompuy announced via his Twitter account, @euHvR, during the EU summit.
"The European Council proposes Jean-Claude Juncker as the next President of the European Commission".
The European Parliament must ratify the decision to nominate Juncker, with a vote expected to take place in Strasbourg on July 16. Cameron reiterated earlier on Friday that the British government considered Juncker the "wrong man" to lead the EU executive. Juncker is seen by some as an old-guard federalist out of tune with the populist message that came from last month's European elections, when Euroskeptic parties made big gains.
The move comes despite staunch opposition to Juncker, the candidate of the European People's Party (EPP) that won the most seats in last month's European Parliament elections, from British Prime Minister David Cameron.
"Decision made," Van Rompuy announced via his Twitter account, @euHvR, during the EU summit.
"The European Council proposes Jean-Claude Juncker as the next President of the European Commission".
The European Parliament must ratify the decision to nominate Juncker, with a vote expected to take place in Strasbourg on July 16. Cameron reiterated earlier on Friday that the British government considered Juncker the "wrong man" to lead the EU executive. Juncker is seen by some as an old-guard federalist out of tune with the populist message that came from last month's European elections, when Euroskeptic parties made big gains.
