With Germany, Luxembourg, Greece, and Spain making clear that they will appoint women candidates to the European Commission, pressure on the President-designate, Mr Romano Prodi, is easing in his quest for at least five, and preferably six, women Commissioners.
There are still strong potential candidates in Ireland, Sweden, and France, with outsiders in Denmark and Italy. Mr Prodi, who is continuing his soundings of capitals, has also made clear that he hopes to get a politically balanced team from governments, 13 of which are dominated by Socialists. He is expected to speak to the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, in the next two days. The following are the likely nominees (* indicates already agreed):
Austria: Mr Franz Fischler, Agriculture Commissioner, a conservative, is likely to return to the same portfolio, although his appointment depends on agreement to an ambassador to the EU from Socialist ranks.
Belgium: The nomination is embroiled in the complicated negotiations on the formation of a government. It being the turn of a Francophone, the Socialist Mr Phillipe Busquin, a former minister for social affairs, and two Liberals, Mr Didier Reynders and Mr Philipe Bodson, both former businessmen, are most often mentioned. The Flemish outgoing Prime Minister, Mr Jean-Luc Dehaene, of the Christian Social Party, is also spoken of although he is a more serious contender for the NATO top job.
Denmark: The outgoing Environment Commissioner, Ms Ritt Bjerregaard, is canvassing to stay on. Both she and her Prime Minister have met Mr Prodi at length separately. Mr Poul Nylson, the Development Minister, is seen as a serious contender.
Italy (2): The outgoing commissioners, Ms Emma Bonino, and Mr Mario Monti, have both made clear they would like to stay.
Finland: The outgoing Budget Commissioner, Mr Erkki Liikanen, is being renominated.
France (2): The Socialist choice is probably between the former Culture Minister, Mr Jack Lang, and the Youth Minister, Ms Frederique Bredin. The right will probably be represented by the former European Affairs Minister, Mr Michel Barnier, although the Gaullist MEP Dr Alain Pompidou has also been mentioned.
Germany (2): The Green Ms Michaele Schreyer, a former Berlin environmental minister, is certain to be appointed, and the Chancellor, Mr Gerhard Schroder, has made it clear he would like to appoint Mr Gunther Verheugen, the Socialist European Affairs Minister.
Greece: Ms Anna Diamandopoulou, Deputy Minister for Industrial Development (Socialist).
Luxembourg: The Prime Minister, Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, has given Mr Prodi an all-women list to choose from but the favourite is Ms Viviane Reding, an MEP and former journalist. Also in the frame is outgoing Transport Minister Ms Mady Delvaux, a Socialist, and a Commission official and former foreign minister, Ms Collette Flesch.
Netherlands: The controversial leader of the Liberals, Mr Fritz Bolkestein.
Portugal: Mr Antonio Vitorino, the current Socialist Defence Minister.
Spain (2): The former Socialist economics minister, Mr Pedro Solbes, and the current Agriculture Minister, Ms Loyola de Palacio.
Sweden: Two seen by the press as front runners are the Trade Minister, Mr Leif Pagrotsky, and the Justice Minister, Ms Laila Freivalds, both Social Democrats.
UK (2): The outgoing Transport Commissioner, Mr Neil Kinnock, and the former Governor of Hong Kong and one-time Northern Secretary, Mr Chris Patton.
