Tony Blair's bid to become the first "President of Europe" appears to be on shaky ground after France and Germany hinted they may not back him. Skip related content
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French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he and the German Chancellor Angela Merkel said they had agreed on a joint candidate they will both nominate for the job.
Neither leader revealed the identity of their preferred choice. But Mr Sarkozy, who first named Mr Blair as a prime candidate for the job two years ago, said: "The first names to come out of the hat are not the ones that are finally chosen."
And Mrs Merkel said she thought the first permanent EU president under the Lisbon Treaty should be from a "small" member state.
Anyone the pair favour who be a hot favourite, as the nominee of two of Europe's most powerful leaders.
The only hope for Mr Blair would be if the Franco-German name of choice turns out to be his - an unlikely twist but one not entirely ruled out in Brussels.
Even Prime Minister Gordon Brown acknowledged that Mr Blair's chances were not looking good, saying: "I think I am right to say that Britain has someone in Tony Blair who would make an excellent president of the Council of the European Union.
"I think there are many people who are members of the Council (of EU governments) who accept that and believe that to be true
"I recognise also that there are many candidates who may come forward, some have already indicated their intention to do so, but I do believe that Tony Blair will remain an excellent candidate."
The start of a formal "runners and riders" race for the role of President of Europe should begin by the end of next week. Front runners include a former Latvian President, an ex-Austrian Chancellor and former Irish and Spanish prime ministers.
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