EU states struggle to agree on who gets top jobs

By David Brunnstrom

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Divisions in the European Union make it increasingly unlikely members will agree unanimously on the appointment of a president and foreign policy chief under the bloc's new structure.

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country holds the EU presidency, has been consulting leaders in the 27-member bloc for days and should complete the process on Tuesday. However, unanimity has proved elusive.

Failure to reach a decision could mean the new jobs, created under the Lisbon reform treaty, are filled by a majority vote, which could emphasise differences rather than the unity the treaty seeks to build.

"What seems quite clear is that there will be difficulties finding a consensus candidate, so we will probably be looking at a majority candidate," an EU diplomat said. "A lot of people are saying different names."

Diplomats said haggling may have to continue into a summit meant to decide the posts, a date for which has yet to be set.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner expressed doubt that EU leaders could agree this week and said they would probably have to meet next week instead. Some EU officials said November 19 was a possible date.

Diplomats have said there is strong backing for Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy to become Council president, but Kouchner said former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Luxembourg leader Jean-Claude Juncker remained in the running.

Kouchner said France had no favourites, but reiterated that France and Germany would support the same candidates.