Theresa May is facing the prospect of deciding who the next EU chief will be

Theresa May is facing the prospect of deciding who the next EU chief will be as she could hold the casting vote at her final summit in Europe

  • Dutch socialist Frans Timmermans was the favourite to succeed Mr Juncker 
  • He would oversee the talks with the United Kingdom after it leaves in October  
  • Voting maths meant Mrs May could mark final EU summit by having decisive say

Theresa May was last night facing the prospect of casting the decisive vote on who replaces EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker for the post-Brexit trade negotiations.

Dutch socialist Frans Timmermans was the favourite to succeed Mr Juncker as EU Commission president and oversee the talks with the United Kingdom after it leaves on October 31. 

EU leaders were said to have agreed on Mr Timmermans as part of a potential compromise package. 

European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans addresses a news conference during a European Union’s General Affairs Council in Brussels in February 

But strong opposition from Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Czech Republic and Italy meant a vote was possible.

The voting maths meant Mrs May could mark her final EU summit by having the decisive say. 

UK sources said Mrs May did not intend to block the Dutchman getting the EU’s top job and that she would vote with the majority.

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Theresa May  spoke to media prior an European Council Summit in the Europa Building in Brussels yesterday

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Theresa May  spoke to media prior an European Council Summit in the Europa Building in Brussels yesterday 

Under the rules, 72 per cent of EU member states, representing at least 65 per cent of the EU’s population, must vote in favour of the proposal – which means that Mrs May could have the key say.

Alternatively, another summit may be called over the summer.

 

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