Cañete's chances for EU leader role wane

Rajoy is trying to get Spain two leadership roles in the EU: the euro group presidency and a commissioner that has real power within the European Commissioner. Luis de Guindos and Miguel Arias Cañete are the two candidates that Rajoy is backing, but in the wake of Merkel's visit to Santiago, it looks like their chances are slimmer.

Merkel's vocal support is for De Guindos only. She is mute about Cañete, because EU leaer Jean Claude Juncker asked Rajoy to deliver a feminine leader if he wants someone to win. Still, Rajoy pushed for Cañete, whose aspirations are waning along with the Spanish government's hopes of having a major influence in European governance.