First Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans, a close ally of current Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, has become the latest in a growing list of candidates who hope to hold the top job following next year's European election. The Dutchman secured the necessary support from German socialists and other left EU parties, members of the Party of European Socialists. Timmermans, 57, who has been serving as the EU commissioner for Better Regulation, Inter-institutional Relations, the Rule of Law, and the Charter of Fundamental Rights since 2014, will battle Slovakian diplomat and EC Vice-President Maros Sefcovic, who is in charge of Energy Union. All nominations must be announced by 18 October and the group of socialists is expected to choose its lead candidate in December.

With less than eight months remaining before the 2019 European elections, battle for the next head of the Commission starts to intensify with new candidates presenting themselves as ready to step into Jean-Claude Juncker's boots. After centre-right Manfred Weber it was centre-left Maros Sefcovic who last week declared his candidacy with more expected to appear in the coming weeks.

The race is open. And the first horse is already on the field. Almost nine months ahead of the 2019 European Parliament elections, the battle who will succeed Jean-Claude Juncker as European Commission President began.

Spain's conservative Popular Party (PP) has chosen last week right-wing congressman Pablo Casado to replace Mariano Rajoy as leader after the former PM was ousted in a no-confidence vote in June. The appointment of the 37-year-old communication chief, who has promised “hope” with a generational revamp of the party, is seen as a swing to the right for it.