British Veto Leaves EU Groping for Consensus on New Leader

The European Union was thrown into disarray Saturday after Britain vetoed the choice of the 11 other nations for chief executive, reflecting British unease at moves toward a more united Europe.

The move sank a well-orchestrated celebration--designed to display the EU’s new relations with Russia and four members-in-waiting--and forced an emergency summit to be called for July 15.

France and Germany said they would try again to name Belgian Premier Jean-Luc Dehaene as successor to Jacques Delors, who will step down early next year after nine years in the trading bloc’s top job.

But a defiant British Prime Minister John Major insisted he would not back down.

Delors, a French Socialist, has been a driving force in efforts to forge a more unified Europe, and many EU nations would like his replacement to follow his lead. Dehaene is considered in the Delors mold.

But Major, who opposes tight links with his EU partners, rejected Dehaene as representing policies that are “not quite in touch with the direction in which Europe is now moving.”

EU rules require a unanimous decision.

Dehaene, known in Belgium as “The Plumber” for his skill in forging political compromises, said he would withdraw if the controversy persisted.

Saturday’s veto came after an extraordinary series of meetings that began with a secret ballot late Friday and the leaders being called back for more consultations early Saturday as many were in their cars heading for hotels.

The main summit talks focused on the economy. The EU leaders also offered $560 million to help Ukraine close the Chernobyl nuclear complex and said they would ask the United States, Japan and Canada to contribute.