Mario Draghi at the helm of the European Council.
'Whatever it takes' as the only possible way to revive Europe's fortunes.
Politico.eu, the information site that more than any other expresses the sentiment of the 'Bubble', launches a clear endorsement for the former Italian prime minister for the post-Charles Michel era.
It does so less than three months before the European elections and with the waltz of the EU's top jobs now upon us.
It is not the first time that the name of the former president of the ECB is indicated as the anchor of Europe and the Draghi option is also cyclically evoked for the leadership of the Commission, especially after the false start of Ursula von der Leyen as candidate of the EPP .
"It was the Italian politician's 'whatever it takes' approach that saved the eurozone. And EU leaders should show off the same spirit to once again face the challenges of the bloc", is Politico's thesis.
Or rather, of Mujtaba Rahman, head of the European division of the Eurasia Group think tank which signed the Op-ed.
In recent weeks, another newspaper, the Financial Times, had floated Draghi's name as head of the European Council, more as a viable hypothesis than as a real endorsement.
Those were the weeks in which Michel announced his candidacy, throwing EU leaders into chaos, frightened by an interim led by Viktor Orban, rotating president since July 1st.
As the vote approaches, the profile of the former Italian prime minister is destined to be brought up several more times.
“The Council would be better led by a politician at the end of his political career – one who has stature, a clear European identity and, according to senior EU officials, will not be driven by headlines,” Politico notes.
The games are open, their epilogue is yet to be written.
Draghi enjoys the appreciation of liberals, including French ones, although this position must automatically coincide with that of Emmanuel Macron.
Michel's seat, in theory, is the objective of the Socialists who, at the same time, like Renew, are ready to raise the stakes well beyond the guard level before saying yes to von der Leyen's confirmation.
In pole position for the European Council would be the Portuguese Antonio Costa even if the odds of Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen are high.
"You have to ask her, I can say that I have a deep admiration for her excellent work, we have a brilliant cooperation", underlined von der Leyen from the Faroe Islands.
Draghi certainly doesn't like the extremes, whether they are on the left or the right.
"It would be a disaster for workers and families in Europe. An obtuse disciple of neoliberal dogma, his mandate at the ECB was a failure," said Martin Schirdewan of the group The Left.
Politico's endorsement arrived in the same hours that Michel saw Macron at the Elysée.
There was talk of next week's EU summit.
But, who knows, also top jobs.
A first informal dinner between the leaders is expected to be convened by Michel in mid-June.
Much will depend on the election results.
Much will depend on how long von der Leyen's candidacy holds up.
But faced with a paralysis in appointments, one or more leaders could put Draghi's name on the table.
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