Two of the most likely contenders for the presidency are former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker of Luxembourg.

VOA: standard.2009.10.29

Speaking to reporters in Brussels, to have Foreign Minister Carl Bildt of Sweden, which holds the rotating European Union presidency, said the time is not right for recognizing a Palestinian state.

VOA: standard.2009.11.17

But Minister for the Presidency Frank Tumwebaze defended the donation.

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The government is also attempting to settle scores with Yulia Tymoshenko, the former prime minister and Mr Yanukovich's challenger for the presidency.

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She backed the appointment of relative lightweights for both the EU presidency and the foreign minister's job created by the Lisbon treaty.

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