The clock is ticking. The socialist PES party family is accepting applications for its lead candidate until Jan. 17. Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner for Social Affairs, is so far the only comrade who has come out of hiding and expressed an interest. However, the Luxembourger’s candidacy has so far hit a snag: at home in his duchy, the Socialists are no longer represented in the government. A lead candidate who would not be proposed as Commissioner by the government in his home country after the European elections would not be a convincing offer to the voters.