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Mon 06 Jun 2004Leading EU states set to back Ahern for presidencyThe Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, is emerging as the leading compromise candidate to succeed Mr Romano Prodi as president of the European Commission, following indications that Mr Ahern has the support of some of the EU's biggest states. Denis Staunton in Brussels and Arthur Beesley reportMr Ahern will today begin a hectic round of telephone consultations with EU leaders in an effort to secure agreement on a candidate. There will be no summit to discuss the appointment until an agreed candidate has been found.