European Commission President Mr Romano Prodi said today there was no sufficient majority so far for any candidate to succeed him as head of the European Union executive.
European Commission President Mr Romano Prodi
Speaking at a news conference on the eve of a summit due to pick the next Commission chief, Mr Prodi noted the nominee needed both a qualified majority of EU states and the approval of the European Parliament before taking office on November 1st.
"The most complex step is the one involving the European Council because that requires a highly qualified majority. So far we don't seem to have achieved that," he said.
"Negotiations are still under way and the (Irish EU) presidency is optimistic of achieving this objective."