Oostenrijkse christendemocraat Schäuble kandidaat voorzitterschap Europese Commissie (en)

A new name has appeared on the list of possible candidates for a successor to European Commission President Prodi.

According to Austria's Die Presse, Wolfgang Schäuble, the deputy leader of the Christian Democrat group in the German Parliament, may now be in the running.

Mr Schäuble would have the backing of the UK so long as London gets the chance to choose the person that will be the new 'super' commissioner in charge of getting Europe's economy in order, reports the paper.

Other names still in the running for the top post include Jean-Claude Juncker, the Luxembourg prime minister and Antonio Vitorino, the Commissioner for justice and home affairs.

Mr Prodi's term in office finishes at the end of October.

EU leaders are set to agree on a new person at a summit in June - he or she also has to be approved by the European Parliament.