Yahoo News Jean-Claude Juncker could step down as European Commission President in March
Jean-Claude Juncker could step down as President of the European Commission as early as next month, according to reports.
The former Prime Minister of Luxembourg has previously said he would not seek a second term as European Commission president when his five-year term expires in 2019.
However, European sources have told the Italian newspaper Republic that Mr Junker will decide to stay in Brussels or resign over the next few weeks.
Mr Junker would most likely be replaced by one of his vice-presidents, the Finnish JyrkiKatainen, or the Socialist Dutch FransTimmermans.
It comes after Mr Juncker admitted that he fears Britain will divide the European Union's 27 remaining members by making different promises to each country during its Brexit negotiations.
Britain will trigger formal divorce talks with the EU next month, a major test for the bloc which is struggling to have a grip on other challenges like keeping Greece in the euro zone and the refugee crisis.
The Netherlands, France and Germany are also holding general elections this year, in which populist anti-EU parties are expected to make strong showings.
Mr Junker has already warned he believes it will take longer than two years to "clear up all the arrangements" for Brexit.
He said he did not believe it would be possible for negotiations for Britain's departure from the EU to be completed within the two year time period stipulated after Article 50 is triggered.
