Regeringleiders mengen zich in debat nieuwe voorzitter Europees Parlement (en)

EUOBSERVER/BRUSSELS – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Thursday (18 June) refused to withdraw his own candidate for the European Parliament's presidency, Mario Mauro, although Polish ex-premier Jerzy Buzek is believed to have broader support not only within the centre-right, but also with the opposition.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting of centre-right leaders, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that there will be a vote in the European People's Party on 7 July, as his bilateral discussion with the Italian premier failed to trigger a consensus on a single candidate for the EU legislature's presidency.

Mr Berlusconi's tough stance however could be just tough bargaining for a better portfolio in the next EU commission or maybe the presidency of an institution like the European Central Bank, as Italy has not had a prominent position in any EU institution in recent times, except for the commission presidency led by Romano Prodi.

Mr Mauro is "the best candidate" and "a church-going Catholic," the Italian premier told journalists upon arrival at the EPP summit. He went on to stress that his party won more votes than the Civic Platform of Polish premier Tusk and that Italy was a "founding member of the EU." Mr Berlusconi also said that Italy had always supported Germany and France on taking up posts, a hint to the fact that both countries have thrown their weight behind the Polish candidate.

"But of course, we will follow the decision of the party, as usual," he concluded, indicating that the whole negotiation was maybe aimed at getting something else in return

Mr Buzek's bid is highly symbolic not only for the Poles, but also for all eastern European states, as it would be the first time a politician from the former Communist bloc chairs an EU institution.

The former Polish premier is also believed to enjoy broader support in the new EU legislature than Mr Mauro, with Green leader Daniel Cohn-Bendit indicating that his group would support him.

The issue of the parliament's presidency is however connected to the debate on Jose Manuel Barroso and the discussions to form a majority either with the European Socialists or with the Liberals.

"First the EPP group needs to agree on the period of the presidency, after negotiating with other groups in the European Parliament," EPP leader Wilfried Martens said at the press conference.

He said that since the EPP was the largest group with 264 MEPs, but could not alone form a majority in the parliament, it would be expected to split the presidency with another group – probably taking the first two and a half years.

Mr Martens said a vote within the group on the final candidate was not a first. This happened the last time the EPP teamed up with the Liberals and split the mandate between Nicole Fontaine and Pat Cox.

This was also the only time the deal was done with the Liberals and not the Socialists, yet the situation is very similar now as well, as the Socialists are split on whether to go their own way and challenge Mr Barroso or to participate in the same arrangement they had so far with the EPP.

Yet the Liberal group also seems split, after outgoing leader Graham Watson announced his bid for the parliament's presidency and another prominent Liberal – former Belgian premier Guy Verhofstadt - also eyeing a key position within the EU institutions.

Liberals on Thursday announced they would back Mr Barroso, indicating a possible agreement with the EPP. Yet they also maintained their support for Mr Watson at the helm of the European Parliament. If the two groups do reach a deal, it is unlikely that the Liberals will get the first half of the mandate, with Mr Watson's chances diminished as he will no longer be leader of the group.

"The problem is that we are negotiating with outgoing leaders. Our group will have elections on 23 June, the Socialists as well, while the Liberals will elect theirs on 30 June," Mr Martens said.

Asked by a Polish journalist if the issue of religion played a role, in reference to Mr Berlusconi's remark that Mr Mauro was a „church-going Catholic", while Mr Buzek was Protestant, the EPP leader said his group always defended „religious pluralism." „The same argument made in the case of Mr Mauro can be made in the case of Mr Buzek and both are very well respected," he concluded.