Speculation mounts over future ALDE leadership

Speculation is mounting over the future leadership of the ALDE group in parliament.

It follows Graham Watson's decision to step down from the post at June's European elections.

Watson is a candidate for parliament's top job, the presidency. If he is unsuccessful, it is thought the Scot will return to the backbenches.

Attention has, in the meantime, switched to the MEP most likely to succeed Watson, with former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt considered to be the current frontrunner.

Verhofstadt, the country's premier for almost nine years until 2007 - and subsequently a caretaker PM - is standing in the upcoming elections and, as he is placed first on the Liberal list in Flanders and Brussels, is almost certain to be elected.

Some MEPs, including UK Liberal Chris Davies, have recently questioned the seriousness of Verhofstadt's intentions in European politics, asking whether he intends to take up his seat.

But a well-placed Liberal source told this website that, if elected, he "fully intends" to sit as an MEP.

He also said, if approached, Verhofstadt "probably would not" turn down the chance to become leader of the ALDE group,currently parliament's third biggest political group.

The youthful-looking Fleming is generally seen as being a highly popular PM in a country whose political scene has recently been embroiled in turmoil.

According to latest research, the group will lose seats in the 4-7 June poll but will retain its current position with 87 members, meaning it will continue to hold the balance of power.

The source said, "It has to be stressed that Verhofstadt has not, and is not, campaigning for the ALDE leadership. He is simply focusing on standing as a candidate."

A possible Verhofstadt candidacy could come up against competition  from a colleague in Belgian domestic politics – Louis Michel, the current EU development commissioner who is candidate in the elections on the Liberal list in Wallonia and Brussels. 

According to a senior ALDE source there are two other likely candidates: Diana  Wallis, a vice president of parliament, and German member Jorgo Chatzimarkakis.

"Wallis is seen, frankly, as a bit boring while Chatzimarkakis could be too controversial to lead the group. That could, clearly, leave the way clear for Verhofstadt to assume the leadership," said the source.

Meanwhile, the Socialist group is also expected to be looking for a new leader if, as expected, its current leader, Martin Schulz, takes over the presidency of parliament. The German deputy is expected to share the post with Polish member Jerzy Buzek.

The EPP's current leader, French MEP Joseph Daul, is thought to want to continue in the post but his re-nomination is regarded as being far from certain.

Elsewhere, observers suggest that Monica Frassoni, currently joint leader of the Greens/EFA group, will do well to hold onto her seat in Italy.

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