Former prime minister's bid damaged by opposition from the left and the right

Tony Blair's chances of becoming the European Union's first president were fast receding last night as opposition to his selection from the left and the right grew.

A number of EU leaders at a summit in Brussels opposed the former prime minister's bid on the grounds of Britain's perceived lack of commitment to the EU.

Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president and Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, are thought to have agreed that the post should be filled by a figure from the main centre-right grouping, the European People's Party.

Jean-David Levitte, Sarkozy's most senior foreign affairs adviser, said: "The UK is not in the eurozone, nor in the Schengen [free travel area in the EU] and it has a number of opt outs. These are not advantageous in this search for a candidate."

The position is likely to be created in the next month after EU leaders reached a new agreement with the Czech Republic, the only country yet to ratify the Lisbon Treaty.

Delegates approved an opt-out for the Czech Republic from the charter of fundamental rights, making it almost certain that President Vaclav Klaus will sign the treaty.

Meanwhile, centre-left leaders also failed to rally behind Blair and suggested the left should focus on securing the new foreign policy post.
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Spain's centre-left prime minister, said: "There is a preference for the high representative. That is rather reasonable."

There is also concern that a Blair presidency would revive memories of European divisions over the Iraq war.

Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg's foreign minister, said: "Now in the United States, Obama is the president, it is no more Mr Bush. We have a new treaty, we have to reset Europe and we need to start with some new ideas. There is and will remain a link for the next generation between Iraq, Bush and Tony Blair."

The hostile response came as Gordon Brown continued to champion Blair for the post.

He told a meeting of centre-left leaders: "You need to get real. This is a unique opportunity to get a progressive politician to be the president of the council."

Downing Street will reject criticism that it was wrong to launch a strong campaign for Blair and will argue that his selection would be in the national interest.

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