Macron floats backing Merkel as head of EU's executive arm

French President Emmanuel Macron has said, he would support German Chancellor Angela Merkel if she wanted to be the head of the European Union's executive body. 

Mr Macron said in Geneva that the European Union needs someone strong at the helm of the European Commission but that he would not try to influence Ms Merkel, citing their friendship.

Ms



Merkel has supported Manfred Weber, a German member of the European Parliament, to be the next European Commission President. Current President Jean-Claude Juncker's five-year tenure ends on 31st October. 

Ms Merkel had announced in October that she would not seek re-election after her fourth term as Germany's leader ends in 2021.