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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
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| Cameron hails all-party support against Juncker bid | Cameron hails all-party support against Juncker bid |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| David Cameron says there is a political consensus in Westminster against Jean-Claude Juncker becoming president of the European Commission. | David Cameron says there is a political consensus in Westminster against Jean-Claude Juncker becoming president of the European Commission. |
| The prime minister was speaking after Labour said it opposed the former Luxembourg leader getting the job. | The prime minister was speaking after Labour said it opposed the former Luxembourg leader getting the job. |
| The UK opposition said Mr Juncker's record suggested he would make getting much-needed reforms "more difficult". | The UK opposition said Mr Juncker's record suggested he would make getting much-needed reforms "more difficult". |
| Mr Cameron hailed the support of "all major UK parties" ahead of talks on the issue with other EU leaders. | Mr Cameron hailed the support of "all major UK parties" ahead of talks on the issue with other EU leaders. |
| Mr Cameron is meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte for wide-ranging talks on the EU's future at Mr Reinfeldt's summer residence near Stockholm. | |
| The identity of who will head the Commission, the EU's executive body, will be one of the most contentious issues discussed during the two-day event. | The identity of who will head the Commission, the EU's executive body, will be one of the most contentious issues discussed during the two-day event. |
| 'United' | 'United' |
| Mrs Merkel has publicly backed Mr Juncker, the candidate nominated by party groups in Europe, but the UK, Sweden and the Netherlands are leading a campaign to block his candidacy. | Mrs Merkel has publicly backed Mr Juncker, the candidate nominated by party groups in Europe, but the UK, Sweden and the Netherlands are leading a campaign to block his candidacy. |
| Mr Cameron 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". | Mr Cameron 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". |
| His hand was strengthened on Monday when Labour said its MEPs in the European Parliament, which must approve the appointment, would vote against Mr Juncker. | His hand was strengthened on Monday when Labour said its MEPs in the European Parliament, which must approve the appointment, would vote against Mr Juncker. |
| "The message from the European elections was clear - that we need reform in Europe," a spokesman said. | "The message from the European elections was clear - that we need reform in Europe," a spokesman said. |
| "We need reform so we can promote jobs and growth. Mr Juncker's record shows he would make these reforms more difficult." | "We need reform so we can promote jobs and growth. Mr Juncker's record shows he would make these reforms more difficult." |
| 'Engagement' | 'Engagement' |
| Nick Clegg, Britain's Deputy Prime Minister and Lib Dem leader, has already said he backs Mr Cameron's stance. | Nick Clegg, Britain's Deputy Prime Minister and Lib Dem leader, has already said he backs Mr Cameron's stance. |
| After Labour's intervention, Mr Cameron tweeted: "All major UK parties are now united on one point: Jean-Claude Juncker should not be President of the European Commission." | After Labour's intervention, Mr Cameron tweeted: "All major UK parties are now united on one point: Jean-Claude Juncker should not be President of the European Commission." |
| Earlier, in a speech in Liverpool, the prime minister said those running EU bodies must understand the "need for reform" - and suggested the EU rethink its strategic objectives as well as getting the right leadership. | Earlier, in a speech in Liverpool, the prime minister said those running EU bodies must understand the "need for reform" - and suggested the EU rethink its strategic objectives as well as getting the right leadership. |
| "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. | "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 said. | "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 said. |
| "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." | "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' | 'National influence' |
| 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. |
| Juncker: For and against | Juncker: 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 alternatives | Angela 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 years | 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 years |
| Fredrik Reinfeldt: Seen as opposed to Mr Juncker and reports in European media suggest Swedish prime minister himself could be compromise candidate | Fredrik 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 new rules mean they now have to "take into account" the results of the European Parliament elections. | EU leaders have traditionally named the Commission head on their own, but new rules mean they now have to "take into account" the results of the European Parliament elections. |
| 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. |
| 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. | 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. | That means no single country can veto the choice. The decision is expected at an EU summit on 26-27 June. |