EU president: the contenders
Updated on 19 November 2009
The European Union is set to decide on its first EU President today after the Czech Republic cleared the way by ratifying the Lisbon treaty earlier this month.
The new president will chair EU summits and represent the bloc on the world stage.
Speculation across Europe has been intense in recent weeks, and it was even suggested the decision could be delayed until later in the year.
The 27 member states will choose the next president by qualified majority vote. The winning candidate will hold office for a two-and-a-half year term and can only be re-elected once.
There are six main candidates for the position.
Herman Van Rompuy, Belgium (aged 62)
Diplomats see the Belgian prime minister as a frontrunner for the post. France and Germany are thought to back him because of his pragmatic approach to politics. He is not expected to upstage the stronger leaders within Europe who lead the way in policy at present.
The Christian Democrat is seen in Belguim as a unifying force, bridging the gap between Dutch and French speaking regions in his country.
As Europe tries to recover from the economic downturn, Van Rompuy could be seen as the ideal candidate as he took a tough stance on Belgium's public debt during his time as budget minister.
Tony Blair, UK (56)
The former British prime minister has been tipped for the job, but as yet has not put himself forward for the role.
His successor at Number 10, Gordon Brown, says he is "an excellent candidate", and Foreign Secretary David Miliband is urging his counterparts on the continent to back him.
David Cameron's Conservative Party, which is currently leading the polls, is against Blair becoming EU President.
In Europe Italy's Silvio Berlusconi backs Blair - but he is a family friend. France's Nicolas Sarkozy said Europe needs a "big hitter", but claims it is a problem that Britain has its own currency.
Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands fear Blair's arrival would mean their interests would not be represented.
Blair's biggest obstacle is his role in the Iraq war - a war which split European nations and bypassed a UN resolution.
Channel 4 News Political Correspondent Gary Gibbon said: "Word last night from the Blair camp was that their man has pretty much given up on getting the presidency of the European Council."
Jean-Claude Junker, Luxembourg (54)
The EU's longest serving prime minister and head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers in the eurozone, Junker has been at the heart of EU negotiations since the Maastricht treaty in 1992.
Nicolas Sarkozy is thought to be happy with Junker, but Gordon Brown is against his federalist stance. New EU member states could be reluctant to see Junker in charge as he represents Europe's old guard.
The smaller nations may vote for him as he is expected to build consensus and listen to their views.
Jan-Peter Balkenende, Netherlands (53)
The Dutch PM is a strong contender and has a wealth of experience behind him, having led four successive governments.
He has raised the profile of Holland by gaining invitations to the G8 and G20 summits. His involvement in Dutch coalition politics may give him support from the smaller nations who want their voices heard.
Centre-right EU leaders are expected to favour him, but former Belgian foreign minister Karel De Gucht likened him to Harry Potter - a label he will need to magic away.
Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Latvia (71)
The only woman in the race, the former president of Latvia is being supported by her government and neighbouring Lithuania.
She will no doubt have the backing of Sweden's EU commissioner Margot Wallstrom, who recently called for a female president to be appointed.
Dubbed "the Iron Lady of Latvia", she was a staunch supporter of intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan.
She has contacts in Germany, Morocco and Canada, and has been decribed as "a dynamic new face for Europe, with robust, strategic visions".
Wolfgang Schuessel, Austria (64)
An outside bet, the former Austrian chancellor could secure the backing of conservative leaders.
Austria is at the centre of EU policy, including the euro currency and the Schengen border-free accord, but as yet has had no involvement in the leadership of the EU.
In his own country he was criticised for forming a coalition with the late Freedom Party leader, nationalist Jorge Haider in 1999. He was later praised by the EU for weakening the Freedom Party's influence, which led to in-fighting and the party's demise.
He may tempt the Germans into supporting him for the post.
