Prodi stands firm on electing successors

Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, wants the European Parliament to elect his successor and he believes such a move would strengthen the legitimacy of the role. Mr Prodi wants the future President to be the undisputed head of the European Union and to fend off British and French calls to create a rival EU President running the Council of Ministers. Mr Prodi's proposals are to be submitted to the Convention on the Future of Europe.