The French and Hungarian leaders risked harming “the democratic principles of Europe” by refusing to select him to replace Jean-Claude Juncker, Mr Weber said. The German MEP, who was the lead candidate for the European People’s Party, pledged to fight for the “democratisation of the EU”. His outrage comes after he was overlooked in favour of surprise candidate Ursula von der Leyen for the EU’s top job. EU leaders nominated the German defence minister after rejecting both Mr Weber and Frans Timmermans, two of the declared candidates for the role.

Mr Weber claimed that Mr Macron and Mr Orban had “discarded” May’s European elections results by blocking his path to power.

In an interview with German newspaper Bild, the German said: “Suddenly we see that Macron and Orban are working together and damaging the democratic principles of Europe.

“I can honestly say that this is not the Europe I imagined. I will continue to fight for the democratisation of the EU.

“Even some in the European Parliament damaged the idea of a democratic Europe. The fact is that Social Democrats and Liberals ruled out to vote for a democratic competitor, who was even the candidate of the strongest political force, calls the basic democratic consensus between us into question.”

Asked why he believes Mr Macron refused to his candidacy, Mr Weber added: “You’ll have to ask him. We were in touch, but he never told me personally that he was against me.

“The argument that has now been put forward – that I have no executive experience – is absurd. A third of all current European heads of government had no previous executive experience.

“President Macron himself had only a little experience. The voters were supposed to decide about the qualification, and nobody else.”

Despite the criticism of the selection process, Mr Weber admits he will remain loyal to the EPP and support Ms von der Leyen in the European Parliament.

While showing his support, he did admit he was “understandably disillusioned” by EU leaders’ refusal to nominate him.

He said: “Her nomination has surprised many people in parliament, but her first appearance was perceived positively. She is a European to the core. Her entire biography shows that. She knows international politics – and she is a convinced Christian Democrat. She has good chances for a majority, but it is a rocky road.”

He added: “Many people are vexed and disappointed. And the feedback is clear: parties have candidates – and in the end, everything is different. How can that be?

“But for me, there is no doubt: this is not just about persons, after all, but about our policy. Due to the election victory that we have achieved as the EPP, we can implement our aims.

“There is also the opportunity, after 60 years, to elect a German as the president of the European Commission who is absolutely suitable for that office. This is good, even though I personally am, understandably, disillusioned. I will support Ursula von der Leyen.”

MEPs will vote to approve Ms von der Leyen on July 16 in Strasbourg, she is expected to be success.

This is despite Social Democrats, European Greens and liberals all voicing concerns at the selection process.

Mr Juncker, the outgoing president of the Commission, admitted the selection process was not “transparent”.

He told reporters in Helsinki: “The process was not very transparent.

“But the process which lead to my nomination, in 2014, was very transparent because we had lead candidates and knew what this party or that party would be the strongest party in the European Parliament.”

Donald Tusk, the outgoing president of the European Council, yesterday said he’d urged the EU’s new leadership team to work with the Greens to build a majority.

He told MEPs: “I am fully confident that co-operation with Greens will benefit the governing coalition but also Europe as a whole. I will appeal to my partners to involve the Greens in the negotiations.”

Philippe Lamberts, the co-chair of the Greens in the Parliament, warned his group would use their numbers “as leverage to get a fairer, more sustainable, democratic Europe”.

Only one in three Germans believe Ms von der Leyen is fit to take charge of the Commission, according to shock polling.

The Deutschlandtrend opinion poll by Infratest Dimap found 56 percent of voters do not think she is a good fit to replace Mr Juncker.

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