Times names PM as EU president forerunner

British newspaper The Times has added fuel to the fire over the issue of whether Anders Fogh Rasmussen is a candidate for a top European post, reporting that the prime minister is the leading candidate to become the European Union's first president.T

The Times indicated on Tuesday that Rasmussen has passed former UK prime minister Tony Blair as the position's leading candidate, calling the PM 'the dashing Dane with his own Facebook page'.

The Times put together its own odds table of the leading candidates to become EU president. Rasmussen was listed as a 5-2 favourite over Blair and Luxembourg's PM Jean-Claude Juncker, both tabbed at 4-1 odds for the posting.

A high-ranking EU diplomat, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Times that Rasmussen has the inside track because few EU politicians have anything against him.

'At the end of the day, the question isn't how much support you can gather but whether anybody is going to put their foot down. No one will put their foot down over Anders,' said the source, who added Rasmussen is 'well-liked' and considered 'intelligent' by most EU politicians.

The anonymous source also said Rasmussen is now learning French - one of the main working languages in Brussels.

The Times listed several factors that have help put Rasmussen in the frontrunner's seat. The newspaper writes that other top candidates will also be vying for the EU's new foreign minister post, which will take them out of the running for the presidency. And Ireland's PM Bertie Ahern, who the newspaper said was also considered a top candidate for the post, is unlikely to be considered now, as he is resigning amid allegations of bribery.

In addition, national squabbles between Germany, France and the UK will likely lead one or more of those countries to put the kibosh on the others' candidates, clearing the path for Rasmussen.

Politicians in Denmark - Danish People's Party leader Pia Kjærsgaard in particular - have criticised Rasmussen for focusing on his personal career and not on domestic affairs, accusations the PM has repeatedly denied. (RC)

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