EU Leaders Back Jean-Claude Juncker as EU Commission President

Juncker's approval to take the EU's top job now depends on the European Parliament. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Former Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker has received support from a majority of EU leaders to become the next EU Commission President.

Apart from the UK, Hungary was the only other country out of the 28 EU members to vote against Juncker, EUObserver reports.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has long maintained he is to resist Juncker's nomination, as the latter is an outspoken federalist and would like to pursue EU integration, something London repeats it is against.

"This is a bad day for Europe," the BBC quoted Cameron as saying after the European Council's vote.

He added such a decision "risks undermining the position of national governments" and also "hands new power to the European Parliament".

On July 16, Juncker's bid is due to be put forward for a vote in the European Parliament, where he reportedly relies on support from Christian Democrats, socialists and liberals and could be almost certain to take the job.

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