European Union leaders met on Sunday to decide who wins the bloc's top posts, with Dutch socialist Frans Timmermans in pole position to be named the EU's next chief executive, diplomats and officials said.

Advertisment

EU leaders were also meant to choose the next president of the European Central Bank (ECB), but that decision seems now likely to be postponed for lack of consensus.

The other main jobs up for grabs are the presidency of the European Council - grouping the EU governments - the EU's foreign policy chief.

Leaders are seeking a balance of men and women in the top positions, and also a balance between eastern and western member states.