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David Cameron and Angela Merkel to discuss EU future David Cameron and Angela Merkel to discuss EU future
(about 4 hours later)
Prime Minister David Cameron is travelling to Sweden for talks on the future of Europe with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other leaders. David Cameron has said Europe cannot "bury its head in the sand" about the need for change ahead of talks with Angela Merkel and other EU leaders.
He will argue against the appointment of Jean-Claude Juncker as next president of the European Commission. In the meeting in Sweden, the prime minister will argue against the appointment of Jean-Claude Juncker as next European Commission president.
Mrs Merkel has publicly backed former Luxembourg premier Mr Juncker, the commission candidate nominated by party groups in Europe. The German chancellor has publicly backed Mr Juncker, the candidate nominated by party groups in Europe.
But Mr Cameron thinks Mr Juncker could block his proposals for reform. But the PM said those running EU bodies must understand the "need for reform".
The prime minister is strongly opposed to Mr Juncker's belief in a closer political union between EU member states. The prime minister is strongly opposed to Mr Juncker's belief in a closer political union between EU member states and has described Brussels as "too big, too bossy".
He has described Brussels as "too big, too bossy" and said following the European elections: "We need change. 'Engagement'
"We need an approach that recognises that Europe should concentrate on what matters, on growth and jobs, and not try to do so much." Mr Cameron will meet Mrs Merkel, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte for talks later in Stockholm.
'Weeks of negotiations' Both the Swedish and Dutch leaders have raised doubts about Mr Juncker's suitability for the role.
Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte are also taking part in the discussions. Speaking in Liverpool before travelling to Sweden, Mr Cameron did not refer to Mr Juncker in person and suggested the EU needed to rethink its strategic objectives as well as getting the right leadership.
Before the meeting, Mr Reinfeldt questioned the lead role of the European Parliament in choosing a new Commission president: "We do not support the idea because it would make it impossible for any other candidate and rule out a lot of potential commission presidents," he told the Financial Times. "I think the programme is as important as the people," he said, stressing the EU's focus should be on making the 28-nation bloc more competitive and flexible and increasing co-operation in energy and digital services.
"My reaction to the fact that in Britain, an anti-European party topped the (European Parliament) poll...is not to bury my head in the sand and wish all this would go away," he added.
"I think we need to make sure we are engaging with the public about all of these issues and changing some of the things that Europe does and doesn't do."
'National influence'
Ahead of the meeting, Mr Reinfeldt questioned the lead role of the European Parliament in choosing a new Commission president and said EU leaders should make the final decision.
"Sweden's position is that there has been an attempt to reject the way this decision is made," he told Swedish broadcaster Sveriges Radio.
"Sweden tends to be concerned about transferring national influence to Brussels and I try to stick to what the treaties say," he added.
BBC political correspondent Ben Wright, in Brussels, said the Swedish and Dutch leaders were likely to join Mr Cameron in urging Mrs Merkel to drop her support for Mr Juncker - but warned there could be weeks of negotiations to come.BBC political correspondent Ben Wright, in Brussels, said the Swedish and Dutch leaders were likely to join Mr Cameron in urging Mrs Merkel to drop her support for Mr Juncker - but warned there could be weeks of negotiations to come.
He added that the issue of who replaced outgoing European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso "matters hugely" to Mr Cameron, both for the prospects of his promised renegotiation with the EU and his standing with Conservative MPs.He added that the issue of who replaced outgoing European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso "matters hugely" to Mr Cameron, both for the prospects of his promised renegotiation with the EU and his standing with Conservative MPs.
Mr Cameron and his German counterpart had what was described a "friendly and candid" exchange of views over who should become president of the European Commission after a dinner for G7 leaders last week. Mr Cameron and his German counterpart had what was described as a "friendly and candid" exchange of views over who should become president of the European Commission after a dinner for G7 leaders last week.
Juncker: For and againstJuncker: For and against
Angela Merkel: German chancellor, after some hesitation, backed European People's Party candidate. Some in Germany believe she may be willing to discuss alternativesAngela Merkel: German chancellor, after some hesitation, backed European People's Party candidate. Some in Germany believe she may be willing to discuss alternatives
David Cameron: Opposed to former Luxembourg PM's candidacy - said to see him as a "face from the '80s" who cannot solve problems of next five yearsDavid Cameron: Opposed to former Luxembourg PM's candidacy - said to see him as a "face from the '80s" who cannot solve problems of next five years
Fredrik Reinfeldt: Seen as opposed to Mr Juncker and reports in European media suggest Swedish prime minister himself could be compromise candidateFredrik Reinfeldt: Seen as opposed to Mr Juncker and reports in European media suggest Swedish prime minister himself could be compromise candidate
Mark Rutte: Opposed to Mr Juncker, and Dutch PM due to meet Irish prime minister after Swedish summit to discuss alternative candidates.Mark Rutte: Opposed to Mr Juncker, and Dutch PM due to meet Irish prime minister after Swedish summit to discuss alternative candidates.
EU leaders have traditionally named the Commission head on their own, but now have to "take into account" the results of the European Parliament elections, under new rules.EU leaders have traditionally named the Commission head on their own, but now have to "take into account" the results of the European Parliament elections, under new rules.
The European People's Party (EPP) grouping, of which Mr Juncker is a member, won the largest number of seats in May's polls, and he has argued that gives him a mandate.The European People's Party (EPP) grouping, of which Mr Juncker is a member, won the largest number of seats in May's polls, and he has argued that gives him a mandate.
The centre-right grouping also includes Mrs Merkel's Christian Democrats.
Before becoming European Commission president a candidate will have to get the approval of both EU government leaders and the parliament.Before becoming European Commission president a candidate will have to get the approval of both EU government leaders and the parliament.
The leaders - jointly called the European Council - will make their choice through a qualified majority vote. That means no single country can veto the choice. The decision is expected at an EU summit on 26-27 June.The leaders - jointly called the European Council - will make their choice through a qualified majority vote. That means no single country can veto the choice. The decision is expected at an EU summit on 26-27 June.
But then the European Parliament has to vote on the nominee - and that means getting support from an absolute majority of MEPs. To succeed, the nominee will need at least 376 MEPs' votes in the 751-seat assembly. The EPP is well short of that, with 221 seats, according to provisional results. Labour has said that its MEPs in the European Parliament will not support Mr Juncker.
Asked why he was against Mr Juncker becoming the next Commission president, Mr Cameron said last week: "It's important that we have people running the institutions of Europe who understand the need for change, the need for reform and I would argue that that is a view that is quietly widely shared among other heads of government and heads of state in the European Union." "The message from the European elections was clear - that we need reform in Europe," a party spokesman said. "We need reform so we can promote jobs and growth. Mr Juncker's record shows he would make these reforms more difficult."