Rome, 8 December 2023 (dpa/MIA) — Former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi is fast emerging as a likely candidate to succeed Ursula von der Leyen as president of the European Commission, according to Italian media reports.

Citing diplomatic circles in Brussels and Paris, La Repubblica newspaper reported on Friday that French President Emmanuel Macron favours the 76-year-old Italian for the top EU position.

Von der Leyen, who previously served as German defence minister, could then move to NATO as secretary general, the newspaper wrote. She has headed the European Union's executive arm since 2019.

According to La Repubblica, Macron has already sounded out German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about the personnel issues.

There was no immediate official response to the report from Brussels or from Draghi himself, while the French presidential office and a spokesman for von der Leyen specifically declined to comment.

The post of commission chief will be open after the European Parliament elections in June. Von der Leyen is expected to announce early next year whether she is seeking a second term in office.

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has wanted to step down for some time. However, the Norwegian's term of office was repeatedly extended, mainly due to the continuing war in Ukraine.

After his time at the head of Italy's central bank, Draghi served as prime minister for a year and a half until October 2022, without belonging to any political party. Von der Leyen recently commissioned him to draw up a report on the EU's future.

A few days ago, Draghi spoke of the EU reaching a critical moment in its history. Far-right populist parties are on the rise in several member states, and there are fears of tougher times ahead if former US president Donald Trump is reelected in November 2024.