The longest ever EU summit has ended without an agreement and leaders are meeting again today after countries refused to back France and Germany’s choice for the top posts. The jobs of president of the EU’s executive Commission, the European Parliament, the European Council of EU governments and the head of the European Central Bank all need filling and EU leaders have been unable to come to any agreements. According to Politico, Mr Macron said: “In the chemistry of these meetings, fatigue can sometimes lead to fits, which happened this morning.”
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He called the tensions “useless” saying “in these cases we have to have the wisdom to say let’s take a few hours”.
Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary used the EU summit to campaign against Merkel’s plan to replace Jean-Claude Juncker with his current deputy.
Speaking to reporters at the summit, Mr Macron said: “No one can be satisfied with what has been happening for so many hours.
“This failure is due to divisions. Political divisions on the one hand within the European Conservative Party, which marked the dissensus of several of its leaders on what was previously agreed upon.
“And on the other hand, geographical divisions as well within the Council, which unfortunately, despite all the night’s efforts led to the postponement of the decision to tomorrow at 11 o’clock and in the coming hours to find some necessary rest and peace of mind.”
Following the talks, Chancellor Merkel told reporters: “We have to pay attention to the fact that we have smaller and bigger countries in the Visegrád group but to outvote that group and, on top of that, a country like Italy that would be difficult.
“It should not lead to tensions that will determine years and years to come. The Brexit is looming on the horizon. Other important issues are on the table. I think we need to treat each other with care.”
According to the rules, 21 heads of government must back a candidate for him or her to go forward to be put on a parliamentary vote.