Tony Blair’s chances of becoming Europe’s first president were either boosted or, more likely, buried last night by French leader Nicolas Sarkozy.
The French president – who first named Mr Blair as a prime candidate for the job two years ago – acknowledged last night that the first name in the frame does not always win the spoils.
Then he announced that he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had now decided on a joint candidate of their own.
Anyone the pair favour will be a hot favourite as the nominee of two of Europe’s most powerful leaders.
In the absence of any name, Mr Sarkozy seemed to be sealing Mr Blair’s fate at the end of an EU summit in which successive leaders – except Gordon Brown – played down the prospects.
The only hope for Mr Blair would be if the Franco-German name of choice turns out to be that of Mr Blair – an unlikely but one not entirely ruled out in Brussels.
However, Mrs Merkel indicated on Thursday night that she thought the first “President of Europe” under the Lisbon Treaty should be from a “small” member state – and that does not include the UK.
Even Prime Minister Gordon Brown acknowledged that the chances were not looking good, saying: “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 think I am right to say that Britain has someone in Tony Blair who would make an excellent president.
“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 job only comes into being once the treaty has been finally signed by the Czech President Vaclav Klaus.
Mr Brown declared a “breakthrough” in climate change talks yesterday as EU leaders named the price of tackling carbon emissions.
Subject to formal endorsement in summit conclusions being prepared in Brussels, Europe has agreed to make a conditional offer to the rest of the world at global environment negotiations in Copenhagen in December.
The move is a victory for Mr Brown, who on Thursday warned the summit that failure to include figures would risk the breakdown of the UN talks.
The agreed summit text estimates a 100billion euros-a-year (£89.6billion) price on curbing global warming by 2020.