“It is now the turn of the European People’s Party-we have been explaining to the voters all along the campaign that these elections were different – that they were a determining factor in who would run the European Commission. The EPP should propose a candidate for the post of the EC President and he should start negotiating with the other parties in the EP. I can confirm that the social democrats are ready for these negotiations.

It is not only about individuals, what is more important is the EU direction, since the voters expressed -to a certain extent -their dissatisfaction with the way the EU works today. Europe has to change and start thinking about what bothers ordinary people. Beside the debate on names for different posts I would welcome a discussion on how the EU will stabilize economy, stimulate new jobs, enhance competitiveness of the European industry and so on – this what Czech Republic is interested in.”

• Bohuslav Sobotka, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic