Germany denies Merkel backing Juncker for EU job

Germany has dismissed speculation that Chancellor Angela Merkel will back Luxembourg’s Jean-Claude Juncker as lead candidate for the conservative bloc in the upcoming European elections.

The European People’s Party (EPP) is expected to choose its lead candidate on March 7th at a meeting in Dublin, putting that person in the front line as EPP candidate to head the next European Commission.

Mr Juncker, until recently prime minister of Luxembourg and euro group chief, is one of several names mentioned as a potential candidate, alongside Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the leaders of Poland and Finland.

Declined to comment
A spokesman for the German leader declined to comment on speculation yesterday that she had telephoned Mr Juncker to offer her support and deny media reports that she would not back him.

This year’s European elections will see all major EU party groupings putting forward lead candidates. Dr Merkel is said to be hesitant about this innovation and has held back on backing any potential candidate.

Brussels-based speculation yesterday about Mr Juncker's chances – and reports of Dr Merkel's crucial backing – came hours after a report appeared in Der Spiegel suggesting his unquestioned abilities and understanding of European institutions were offset by concerns about his alcohol intake.

It noted that, after decades as an “open secret”, talk about Mr Juncker’s drinking had moved into the open since he had left office.

Dutch finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem broached the topic first, suggesting euro group meetings had a more more "Calvinist" air since he took over as chair from Mr Juncker.

Drinking and smoking
Asked by Dutch television if that meant drinking and smoking were now taboo in meetings, he added: "They always were forbidden. Only the then head didn't always adhere to that."

In his native Luxembourg, one newspaper cited by Der Spiegel reported that "Juncker has no problem with alcohol but without alcohol".

The ex-leader dismissed such speculation about his drinking habits and general health.

"I think I am up to being European Commission president," he told Der Spiegel yesterday, saying he was happy to submit to close scrutiny if he ran for the top European job.

“But I would like to be asked about politics,” he said, “and not about my alcohol problem, which I don’t have.”