Helle Thorning-Schmidt in Brussels to discuss EU top position

Today may become a historic day in Danish politics – or maybe not.

After months of speculation and rumours, tonight could reveal if Helle Thorning-Schmidt will be offered a key position at the European Union and eventually step down as Denmark's prime minister – a scenario she herself has openly eliminated.

European leaders gather today in Brussels and will over dinner tonight decide the name of a new foreign policy chief and possibly the next European Council president, the dignitary who presides over the EU summit meetings that gather the heads of state or government of all 28 EU countries together.

READ MORE: EU vice-president endorses Danish PM for EU top position

International media and officials have already named Thorning-Schmidt as a likely candidate to take over the position when Herman Van Rompuy ends his term as president in November.

But maybe nothing happens
Thorning-Schmidt will this afternoon also meet with Jean-Claude Juncker, who was elected EU Commission president yesterday, to discuss Denmark's next EU commissioner after Connie Hedegaard.

The dinner at 6.30pm may continue into the night and there are no guarantees that any decisions will be made regarding who will fill the positions. The leaders may only choose a foreign policy chief and postpone their decision regarding the next council president until the autumn.

In other words, this meeting may not change anything in Denmark, which of course makes it possible that the prime minister was telling the truth all along.




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