David Cameron was today reported to be refusing to speak to Jean-Claude Juncker as he launched a last-ditch effort to stop the federalist being installed as the new European Commission president.
The Prime Minister faced a danger of being isolated and humiliated at an EU summit next week, after it emerged that German Chancellor Angela Merkel aims to force a vote on the issue. Mr Cameron’s public at-tempts to thwart Mr Juncker’s chances were being derided in Brussels as “cack-handed diplomacy” and “inept”.
However, British officials say that among the other 27 EU leaders, “closet critics” who privately oppose Mr Juncker, could join Mr Cameron to block the former Luxembourg prime minister. “Discussions are ongoing and we will continue to make the case,” said a British official. “There are a lot of people who have these misgivings. Until the die is cast, it is not too late.”
Mr Juncker is regarded in No 10 as a roadblock to vital EU reforms, and Mr Cameron has invested a fortune of his political capital in a public campaign that has angered Mrs Merkel.
Leaked papers recording a dinner for European diplomats last week reveal that she wants to cut short the squabble and “now favours moving very promptly to appointing Juncker”. They state: “Short of a complete U-turn by [Merkel], the die is cast in Berlin.”
A confident Mr Juncker has begun telephoning EU leaders to discuss their concerns, but the BBC reported that his advances were being rebuffed by the Prime Minister and by the UK’s diplomatic office in Brussels.
Downing Street denied that Mr Cameron had turned down a call from Mr Juncker, but diplomats admitted that it was unlikely that the Premier had anything useful to discuss with his rival.
Mr Cameron could still stop Mr Juncker if he musters a blocking vote, which could comprise Sweden’s premier Fredrik Reinfeldt, Mark Rutte of the Netherlands, Matteo Renzi of Italy, and Hungary’s Viktor Orban.
However, his tactics were criticised by European experts. “He has painted himself into a really difficult corner,” said Rem Korteweg, of the London-based Centre for European Reform.
An adviser to one other EU prime minister said Mr Cameron had lacked patience and guile. “Everyone knows European affairs is a consensual game. You don’t win by going nuclear,” the adviser said. “I’ve wondered whether Cameron needs a Europe adviser.”
Ukip MEP Roger Helmer said: “Cameron’s badly-judged anti-Juncker campaign could harden anti-EU sentiment in the UK. What a good thing.”
