THE HAGE, 18/09/09 - Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen will become the Netherlands' premier if Premier Jan Peter Balkenende becomes the permanent president of the European Council, say Christian democratic (CDA) sources. Balkenende denies that he is in the race for the new top job in Europe.

According to Het Financieele Dagblad, confirmation has come from "three CDA sources very close to the cabinet"- independently from one another - that Verhagen would succeed the premier if Balkenende went to Brussels. "The matter has already been settled within the leadership of the party," one of them said.

The EU is to have a permanent president when all countries have ratified the new European Treaty. This could be before the end of this year. Sources close to the premier give former UK premier Tony Blair the best chances, but Balkenende is also said to be in the race.

Balkenende says the rumours are "nonsense." He confirmed to reporters in the corridors of the Lower House that he intends to stay on as premier, but preferred to avoid further questioning.

If the government leaders should select Balkenende, then he would be appointed for at least two and a half years, with a chance of a second term. "Verhagen would then become interim premier, to pilot this cabinet to the elections of 11 May 2011," the newspaper wrote. Transport Minister Camiel Eurlings would then be promoted to Foreign Affairs.

According to a CDA source, the departure of Balkenende could be salutary for the relations between CDA and PvdA. "(PvdA leader Wouter) Bos and Verhagen do have the chemistry that is missing between Bos and Balkenende."

Apart from this, the CDA will almost certainly supply the next representative of the Netherlands in the European Commission. For this post, the names of Economic Affairs Minister Maria van der Hoeven, Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin, former Agriculture Minister Cees Veerman and former Economic Affairs State Secretary Yvonne van Rooy are circulating.