I always admired his courage
Joseph Daul
Italian centre-right MEP Mario Mauro has withdrawn from the race to become parliament's next president.
His shock decision appears to pave the way for the post to be shared between fellow EPP member Jerzy Buzek and Socialist group leader Martin Schulz.
Their nominations will be confirmed by the EPP on Tuesday. It clears the way for an announcement on the presidency in Strasbourg next week.
The move also comes as a bitter body blow to UK Liberal Graham Watson's presidency ambitions. After stepping down as ALDE leader he is now likely to return to becoming a 'backbench' MEP.
Mauro's decision on Sunday comes after a direct appeal by EPP leader Joseph Daul to Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi.
Daul met Berlusconi at the weekend and asked him to withdraw Mauro "to facilitate the accession" of Buzek, a former Polish PM.
In a statement, Mauro explained the move, describing it as an "act of responsibility".
He said, "What is happening during recent weeks has left us perplexed. The decision, which can still be remedied, of some political groups in parliament not to give support to José Manuel Barroso can be a difficult thing for citizens to understand at a time when great determination and firmness is needed by the European institutions to overcome the crisis.
"It is because I think it is important that people do not lose further confidence in the European project, I intend to facilitate through an act of responsibility the decision by the EPP group on the candidacy of one of its members for the presidency of parliament.
"Forcing the group to vote on Tuesday could produce unnecessary divisions in our political family at the most delicate phase of the legislature: at a time when we need to clearly indicate our political goals in the interests of European citizens.
"Therefore, in agreement with the leaders of my political party and of the EPP group, it has been decided to withdraw my candidature.
"I would like to warmly thank the Italian government for its support and especially those people, some outside my political family, who have supported this candidacy.
"If the desire to satisfy personal ambition would gain the upper hand over the spirit of service, I would neglect the reasons for my work and a faith that has always brought me to understand the reasoning of others.
"I, therefore, give way to the candidacy of my dear colleague Buzek. In this way I hope to contribute responsibly to the role that the EPP must have in order to show that its policies and the European project in particular are seen to be for the good and future of the people."
Daul said he wanted to "warmly salute" Mauro for his decision, adding, "I always admired his courage and commitment to ethical ideals and his humanistic and pro-European principles that I fully share.
"I thank him for agreeing to withdraw his candidature in a spirit of compromise and solidarity, thus facilitating the process of appointment of our candidate to succeed Hans-Gert Pöttering.
"I am sure that Mario Mauro will continue to be, in the months and years to come, a committed and engaged personality recognised in the EPP and on the European political scene."
The Socialists and EPP are now expected to share the five-year term, thwarting Watson's hopes of becoming the first Liberal president since Irishman Pat Cox.
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