Former UK PM Blair Drops out of EU President Race

The early favorite for EU President, former UK Prime Minister,Tony Blair, has dropped out of the race Thursday evening. Photo by BGNES

Former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has dropped out of the race to become the first European Council President, BBC reported Thursday evening.

EU leaders are meeting in Brussels to select their first ever full-time President and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs - new posts created by the Lisbon Treaty, which will become effective on 1 December.

BBC cites a UK government spokesman as informing about the dramatic twist in the British position. Blair had been an early favorite for President and the highest-profile candidate, but some leaders fear he would overshadow them thus favoring a lower-profile name instead, according to BBC.

The leaders of the 27 EU Member States have a working dinner together to decide on the appointments and are said to be still divided over which candidates to choose. After-dinner negotiations are expected to last into the night.

Belgian Prime Minister, Herman van Rompuy, who enjoys the French and German support, continues to be the top contender for the job.

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