Copenhagen - Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Wednesday repeated remarks that he was not seeking an international post including that as future full-time president of the European Council. Rasmussen told reporters that while it would be "good for Denmark" if a Danish national was appointed to a top international job, he "was not a candidate" and had no such plans.
The Danish premier has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the post that is envisaged under the European Union reform treaty, yet to be formally ratified by all member states.
An online bookmaker Tuesday had Rasmussen as favourite for the job along with former British premier Tony Blair and Luxembourg's Prime Minister Jean-Claude Junckers.
"Since I am not a candidate for any international post, I don't think there is reason to comment on what the bookmakers say," Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen has also figured as a possible future secretary-general of the defence alliance NATO.
A Gallup poll commissioned by the Berlingske Tidende newspaper suggested 63 per cent of voters polled said Rasmussen's appointment to a top international post would benefit Denmark.
The Danish parliament recently ratified the Lisbon Treaty but Denmark has still several opt-puts from the EU and unless they are dropped, political observers have said they would stop Rasmussen's chances.
Rasmussen said Wednesday the government had not decided on when it would stage a referendum on the opt-outs, but noted that Denmark was sidelined at times.
