Luxembourg's EU Commissioner Nicolas Schmit emerges as the sole candidate for the lead of the socialist faction in the upcoming European elections, with strong backing from Germany and Spain, setting the stage for a potential challenge against Ursula von der Leyen for the EU Commission presidency.

The deadline to run for lead candidate of the socialist faction in the European elections is Wednesday and, thus far, only Luxembourg's EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, has thrown his hat in the race. Since it was announced on Monday that Schmit has the backing of the two strongest nations in the socialist block – the German SPD and the Spanish PSOE – it becomes ever more likely that he will challenge Ursula von der Leyen for the EU Commission presidency.

141 lawmakers are working for the Party of European Socialists (PES) in Strasbourg. Although it is currently unlikely that another candidate will come forward, a final decision can only be expected at the PES congress in Rome on 2 March.