Tony Blair faces disappointment in his bid to become the European Union's powerful new president after losing support among continental leaders. The former prime minister's key backer, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, is said to have "changed his mind" about Mr Blair's suitability for the post. Without Mr Sarkozy's support, Mr Blair's candidacy - which is unofficially backed by Gordon Brown and the British government - is effectively doomed.Sources in Brussels now say the favourite for the job is Felipe Gonzales, Spain's charismatic socialist former prime minister, whose government collapsed in a sleaze scandal in 1996.Europe's leaders are just beginning the complex horse-trading that will end in the appointment of an EU president and "high representative" - effectively the union's foreign minister - once the Lisbon Treaty has been finally fully ratified.
The former prime minister's key backer, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, is said to have "changed his mind" about Mr Blair's suitability for the post.
Without Mr Sarkozy's support, Mr Blair's candidacy - which is unofficially backed by Gordon Brown and the British government - is effectively doomed.
Sources in Brussels now say the favourite for the job is Felipe Gonzales, Spain's charismatic socialist former prime minister, whose government collapsed in a sleaze scandal in 1996.
Europe's leaders are just beginning the complex horse-trading that will end in the appointment of an EU president and "high representative" - effectively the union's foreign minister - once the Lisbon Treaty has been finally fully ratified.
