Vote counting and speculation reaches fever pitch in European Parliament

Never has the vote of each single MEP mattered quite so much.

The corridors of the European Parliament in Strasbourg are alive with speculation and a nervous energy not usually associated with this staid institution as everyone waits for the crucial vote on the new European Commission on Wednesday.

At every corner and in every coffee bar, all that can be heard is endless counting and re-counting of various MEPs prospective votes to see if incoming Commission President José Manuel...