Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende should stay in the Hague, rather than take up the job of EU president if it is offered to him, former prime minister Ruud Lubbers told EO radio on Thursday.

If Balkenende does get the Brussels job, a majority of MPs will call for a general election, Lubbers said.
Both Lubbers and Balkenende are members of the Christian Democrats.
Lubbers said the economic crisis was an extra reason why Balkenende should stay in charge. The prime minister has said several times he is not after the job but his name is still circulating in Brussels circles.
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