The possibility that the SDLP leader, Mr John Hume MEP, may stand as a compromise candidate for the presidency of the European Parliament has emerged in Socialist circles in the Parliament.
Mr Hume, who is widely respected among MEPs, says he has not really given the idea serious consideration but he is known to have been approached by Socialist MEPs from a number of national delegations.
Leaders of the Socialist group met here yesterday to discuss their parties' poor showing in the elections and the allocation of posts in the next Parliament.
Although they agreed to recommend the former Portuguese president, Mr Mario Soares, to their group as the Socialist candidate for the presidency, the electoral success of the European People's Party (EPP) in overtaking the Socialists put a question mark over the current agreement between the two parties to share the five-year presidency.
The two parties will meet ahead of the new session in July to see if the arrangement can continue, who should take the job first and whether their respective candidates are acceptable.
The EPP is expected to propose the French Vice-President of the Parliament, Ms Nicole Fontaine, of the UDR, whose nomination some Socialists would see as an unnecessary gift to the deeply divided French right.
Mr Soares's nomination may also raise eyebrows in EPP ranks as he has only just been elected to the parliament for the first time.
Should the two parties find agreement difficult, some Socialists say, Mr Hume's name could emerge as a compromise candidate.
Meanwhile, it has become clear there will be three candidates for the leadership of the Socialist group.
Apart from the incumbent, Ms Pauline Green, favourite although somewhat tarnished by the disastrous showing in Britain, a former president of the Parliament, Spain's Mr Enrique Baron, and France's Ms Pervenche Beres are contenders.
