Lipponen admits interest in top Commission job

Date: 27/11/03

PAAVO Lipponen, the former prime minister of Finland, has thrown down the gauntlet in the contest to be the next head of the European Commission.

And if the intergovernmental conference (IGC) backs the creation of a new post of EU president, he will challenge for that too.

Speaking to European Voice, Lipponen, currently president of the Finnish parliament, admitted he is interested in the two most powerful jobs in Brussels.

"I want to make this known, in a modest way, so that people do not get the wrong impression that I am not interested," Lipponen said.

However, he stressed that it was "too early" to officially announce himself as a candidate. "Moreover, a candidate is normally presented by others, so we'll see," he added.

Asked if any other jobs would interest him, for instance if the proposed new post of EU foreign minister is backed by the IGC, Lipponen said he would keep his options open.

"I do not want to be choosy, I am interested in a general way to remain active in the EU."

The Finn admitted that competition for the Union's most powerful jobs will be strong. "There are many good people in competition. Let's see what happens after the European elections."

Lipponen, whose ruling Social Democratic Party was defeated in the Finnish general election last March, will have his hopes of being nominated for the Commission presidency boosted if the socialists finish as the dominant party in the

European Parliament after next June's elections. Once the European Council has made its nomination known, the Parliament must approve the proposed head of the Commission and his team.

Lipponen's main rivals for the post of Commission president are Jean-Claude Jüncker, Luxembourg's prime minister and Jean-Luc Dehaene, former premier of Belgium.

Paavo Lipponen, the former Prime Minister of Finland, has admitted he is interested to be the next European Commission or EU President.