Merkel seeks fast-tracking of EU Commission prez nominee

Chancellor Angela Merkel urged EU leaders on Monday to agree fast on a nominee for the post of European Comission president, saying her government backed the idea of naming a "Spitzenkandidat" from a winning party.

"We want to find a solution as soon as possible given that the European Parliament will convene at the start of June and it is naturally desirable if by that time we have a proposal from the European Council," Merkel told a news conference.

She said both her conservatives and their Social Democrat junior coalition partners back the idea of 'Spitzenkandidat,' a mechanism that France has said won't be automatic and on which a majority vote is possible.