European governments, largely sidelined during the last Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, watched warily today and with one eye on Washington, as Mr Ariel Sharon was headed for electoral victory in Israel.
Leaders in France, which has long wanted to raise its profile in the Middle East peace process, say it is too soon to draw any conclusions about Mr Sharon's policies.
French Foreign Minister Mr Hubert Vedrine observed recently that it was necessary to wait until after the Israeli elections to "see in what context the peace negotiations can proceed."
Europeans were generally waiting to see what action the new US administration would take to deal with a Sharon government and promote peace in the Middle East, analysts said.
But Danish Foreign Minister Mr Mogens Lykketoft spoke out today against the hawkish Sharon, saying on Denmark's TV2 morning show that a Sharon victory, while probable, would be "deeply deplorable."
In Spain, Foreign Minister Mr Josep Pique warned earlier that "whoever won the election..., Israeli public opinion, the future government and the next prime minister must realize that the international community has given its support to the peace process as it stands at the moment."
France in any case looked unlikely to become a privileged interlocutor for Mr Sharon as four months ago it asked the Israeli politician to forego a planned private visit to Paris, blaming him for triggering violence in Jerusalem last October.
France's Jewish community was also concerned about a Sharon victory, fearing he would steer Israel onto a war footing and thereby fan anti-Jewish sentiment in France.
Sweden, which took over the European Union presidency from France, has declined to comment on the implications of a Sharon victory, and other EU members were equally reticent, knowing they would have to work with Mr Sharon in the future.
AFP