Cameron: UK would leave EU if Juncker gets top post

Britain in the EU, or Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission — that was the choice according to British Prime Minister David Cameron when he spoke out against the

Enda Kenny, on his way into the summit, said he expected Mr Juncker to start negotiating to win sufficient support for his candidature.

The 16 prime ministers belonging to the European People’s Party, including the Taoiseach, supported the former Luxembourg prime minister publicly, except for the leaders of Sweden and Hungary.

Both argued it would cede too much power to the parliament and they must consider what would happen in five years time when they have to fill the top EU positions again.

Sweden’s Frederik Reinfeldt said: “The UK situation is very important and has to be taken into account. It is very important that they stay in the EU.”

Mr Juncker is seen as too pro-EU and too federalist by some. The chair of the eurozone finance ministers was sympathetic to Greece but oversaw the bailout and austerity decisions.

The EPP group won most seats in the election and the agreement was their lead candidate would try to win the support of sufficient member states to be elected to head up the European Commission for the next five years.

German chancellor Angela Merkel gave Mr Juncker her support but has let it be known that this depends on him winning the support of others.

The leaders agreed the president of the council, which represents member states, Herman van Rompuy, will negotiate in an effort to find sufficient support for Mr Juncker.

They will give him about four weeks to do so and it is expected that before

July 1, they will then put

forward an alternative EPP candidate.

The name of IMF head and former French finance minister Christine Lagarde is emerging as a favourite. A member of the EPP, it

is believed she would be acceptable to Britain.

However, any nomination will have to take into account some of the other positions — president of the council, foreign minister, and possibly a permanent president of the eurozone. These positions will be divided out between the EPP and the Socialists with perhaps one going to the Liberal group.

The parliament will

select its president at their plenary session on July 1.