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Mr Santer hopes to become a member of the European Parliament after elections in June but in the meantime, he still has to account to it for his actions as president of the European Commission.
The crisis was created by the unprecedented resignation of the commission in the wake of a damning corruption report into fraud and mismanagement.
Hope for change
Mr Santer told MEPs he had been dismayed by the experts' report, but said he hoped the crisis would prove to be a catalyst for deep and lasting reform of Europe's institutions.
Pauline Green, the leader of the Socialist group in parliament, demanded a further and deeper investigation into corruption in the commission.
Euro MPs of all political shades called on the summit of European leaders in Berlin later this week to appoint a new president of the commission as quickly as possible.
Our correspondent in Brussels, Angus Roxburgh, says it looks increasingly likely that the heads of government will do so and that their choice will fall on Romano Prodi, the former Italian Prime Minister.
A spokesman for the UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, said Mr Prodi was a man of considerable capability whose reform credentials were well established.
Our correspondent says a consensus seems to be forming among Europe's politicians that a new commission could be appointed and up and running as early as May.
"That is seen as essential if important reforms are not to be delayed."
Country profiles
EU Budget battle looms
(21 Mar 99 | The Economy)
Santer's fast comeback
(20 Mar 99 | Europe)
Prodi front-runner for top Euro job
(20 Mar 99 | Europe)
Searching for Santer's successor
(18 Mar 99 | Europe)
How did your commissioner fare?
(17 Mar 99 | Europe)
EU in Crisis: Q & A
(17 Mar 99 | Europe)
Jacques Santer: Out of his depth?
(16 Mar 99 | Europe)
Why they had to go
(16 Mar 99 | Europe)
European Commission
European Parliament: The independent experts' report
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