Patten in EU President bid
Chris Patten, Chancellor of Oxford, has emerged as one of the leading candidates in the race to take over from Romano Prodi as President of the EU Commission writes Zoe Mernick-Levene.
Having dismissed doubts that he could not combine both the Chancellorship of Oxford and the Presidency, he has said he could be persuaded to take over the position if asked.
Patten is reported to have won the private support of the Irish Premier Bertie Ahern, the current holder of the floating Presidency of the EU, who will oversee the choice of the next Commission President in June.
His main rival is the Belgian Prime Minster, Guy Verhofstadt who is expected to gain the support of France and Germany.
6th May 2004