Managed a quick chat with the Finnish ex-foreign minister about my job prospects. He said he’d heard back from Commissioner Rehn that I am a good candidate and will certainly be interviewed, but that “it remains to be seen how national balance and gender balance can be achieved.” It’s not much, but it takes me forward from a week ago, when I feared I might not get the job due to being male; now there seems at least a chance that the gender balance of the rest of the team might be shaped around me if I get the job.

Of the people I emailed yesterday, two of the British MEPs have promised to speak to Rehn tomorrow when he appears in Strasbourg, which is probably enough for now.