Downing Street is making a last-ditch diplomatic effort to find European allies to block a leading opponent of Britain’s reform agenda from the top job in Brussels.
Frantic calls and visits by ministers are under way to stop Martin Schulz, the German socialist who is president of the European parliament, trying to seize the initiative in the race to become president of the European Commission.
Should the socialists emerge as the biggest group in the European parliament when the results of this week’s elections are announced on Sunday, Mr Schulz is expected to make a statement the next day to give his campaign momentum. The day after that, next Tuesday, European leaders are to discuss the election results at an informal dinner in Brussels.
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