By David Brunnstrom
European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana has said he plans to step down when his mandate expires at the end of October.
If the EU's Lisbon reform treaty is approved following a referendum in Ireland in October, Solana's successor will have enhanced powers as head of an EU foreign service designed to give the bloc a greater say on the world stage.
The high representative will answer to EU governments but will also be vice-president of the European Commission and manage the EU executive's large external aid budget.
Below are leaders who analysts say could seek the job.
SWEDISH FOREIGN MINISTER CARL BILDT
– The 59-year-old centre-right former prime minister has decades of experience in diplomacy. But some nations could oppose another Scandinavian having a top job because Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen is about to take over as NATO secretary-general. Bildt is also seen by some countries as too outspoken, especially because of his tough stance towards Russia and strong support for Turkey's EU membership bid.
MICHEL BARNIER, FRENCH MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND FORMER MINISTER
– Barnier, 57, a former foreign and agriculture minister, is the leading candidate to take over France's European Commission post. A wily expert on European affairs, known as "The Silver Fox", he has served as an EU commissioner. But Britain might be unhappy with a Frenchman unless it also wins a senior post.
FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER, GERMAN VICE CHANCELLOR AND FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER
– Steinmeier, 53, could seek the job if he fails in his bid to become Chancellor in elections in Germany on Sept. 27. His centre-left political affiliation could be an advantage, depending on how other EU jobs are shared out, but former Soviet bloc countries such as Poland could say he was too accommodating in the past towards Russia.
FORMER AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER URSULA PLASSNIK
– A 53-year-old conservative, Plassnik is a prominent pro-EU voice in a largely EU-sceptic country. She quit as foreign minister in December 2008 when a coalition led by Social Democrats took office, ostensibly in protest at its refusal to rule out a referendum on an EU constitution.
GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER DORA BAKOYANNI
– Media speculation that the 55-year-old conservative wants to become Greece's prime minister may make it unlikely she would want the foreign representative post before a looming parliamentary election. Greece's unresolved disputes with Macedonia over the latter's name and its standoff with Turkey over Cyprus could also stand in her way.
EU ENLARGEMENT COMMISSIONER OLLI REHN
– The 47-year-old old Finn has won admirers for his calm diplomacy with EU aspirants such as Turkey and the countries of the western Balkans. Analysts say his relative youth could also be to his advantage but his lack of party political experience could play both for him or against him. His Scandinavian origins could count against him.
ITALIAN FOREIGN MINSTER FRANCO FRATTINI
– A former EU commissioner for justice, Frattini, 52, would benefit from his close understanding of the workings of EU bureaucracy and is seen by some analysts as an acceptable choice for some of the larger member states. But he caused eyebrows to raise this year when he stepped out of line with EU policy by planning a visit to Iran before an election.
FORMER GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER GEORGE PAPANDREOU
– Head of the Socialist International, the 57-year-old U.S.-born son and grandson of Greek prime ministers, could make a bid. He has repeatedly surprised Greeks with his support for the decriminalisation of marijuana and his seemingly casual and friendly approach to archrival Turkey.
NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER
– Centre-right former Dutch foreign minister who has headed NATO since 2003. Analysts say De Hoop Scheffer, 61, has a mixed record at NATO and that some European leaders would be reluctant to see another civilian head of the Western military alliance move to head EU diplomacy, as Solana did in 1999.
