Sigmar Gabriel, German vice-chancellor, president of the SPD and superminister of the federal economy, has announced that German Social Democracy is giving up any post in the new European Commission, thus accepting that the German commissioner remains a Christian Democrat (Chancellor Angela Merkel's party) like the outgoing one Guenter Oettinger.
Consequently, even Martin Schulz, leader of the socialists in the European elections of 25 May, who finished second after his popular rival (EPP) Jean-Claude Juncker - resigns from the vice-presidency of the new Commission and in exchange would like to remain president of the European Parliament, a hypothesis that it has already obtained the green light from Merkel.
These decisions pave the way for Juncker's appointment as head of the European Commission: even the chancellor would agree, but David Cameron - after the elections - had threatened Great Britain's exit from the EU if the Luxembourgish. Merkel therefore believes that for the final agreement it will be necessary to provide for "some concessions to the United Kingdom".
