In the battle over who should become the next president of
the European Commission, David Cameron is depicted as the loser - "isolated",
"incompetent", a serial mis-reader of Brussels politics.
Yet David Cameron is not alone in finding himself in a corner, defending a
position he cannot retreat from.
Several leaders who doubted whether Jean-Claude Juncker was the best
candidate for the job are now uncomfortably lining up behind him.
But Angela Merkel's position is almost as uncomfortable as that of David
Cameron. Frau Europe's authority has been damaged.
It was not just that she was forced to back down when she suggested other
names apart from that of Mr Juncker should be considered for the top job.
She flinched as some outraged German columnists pointed out that during the
campaign she had told voters the election would determine the next Commission
president.
Although much of the German political establishment has seen a strengthening
of the European Parliament as one answer to the EU's democratic deficit,
Chancellor Merkel is said to be uncomfortable at a shift in power towards the
European Parliament which could weaken the ability of heads of government to
define the agenda.
There is already a fall-out from the battle over the Commission presidency.
The centre-left in Europe, led by Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and
President Francois Hollande of France, have seized an opportunity to push their
case for a change of course in Europe. Yes, they have agreed to back Mr Juncker
but in exchange for a commitment to support their growth agenda.
The centre-left wants a more flexible interpretation of the EU's budget and
deficit rules.
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