Frans Timmermans stops live interview with Boyko Borissov
The EU’s backroom discussions, which are notoriously secretive, were opened up to a Facebook live stream before being suddenly cut last night. Officials in Brussels are struggling to agree on who should succeed Jean-Claude Juncker as leader of the European Commission. Presidential hopeful Frans Timmermans met with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov for a backroom conversation on the negotiations in a rare recording of the behind-the-scenes dealings in Brussels.
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However, once Timmermans noticed the camera, he immediately told his Bulgarian counterpart to turn off the live-feed.
The Bulgarian leader was the one who live-streamed the discussion on his official Facebook page.
The recording revealed Mr Timmermans, a Dutch social democrat, looking for support for his presidential bid.
In the video, Mr Borissov can be heard making demands to Mr Timmermans if he wants his support for his leadership bid.
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Mr Borissov said: ““A compromise is in the making — Weber will take the Parliament and you will take the Commission, so I wanted to hear from you.
"We have worked wonderfully over the years.”
The Bulgarian leader went on to list a series of demands for Timmermans, including an international gas hub in Bulgaria and a desire to join the EU's borderless Schengen zone.
He also wanted the EU to end a programme that monitors Bulgarian anti-corruption efforts.
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The EU leader also said he had discussed who should get the top EU posts with Angela Merkel as well as the leaders of Spain, France and the Netherlands.
He told his Dutch counterpart: "Today we talked with Pedro Sánchez, Emmanuel Macron, Mark Rutte, Angela Merkel and other colleagues that it’s much better to come up with a solution rather than being obstinate."
Mr Borissov also referred to criticism from countries such as Hungary and Poland, which have been accused by Mr Timmermans of become un-democratic.
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He said: "There are some EU member states in Central and Eastern Europe that have some concerns but I told them that I believe in your integrity."
Mr Timmermans responded: "Yes, I agree. I think we have always worked together very well.
"I’ve always been straightforward and honest with you and I have always expressed my admiration for what you are doing in the fight against organized crime in your country."
The Dutch politician then turned to the camera. "I’m not sure we should be recording all of this."