EU leaders to pick Juncker as 28-nation bloc's new chief executive despite British opposition

European Union leaders are set to nominate former Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker to become the 28-nation bloc's new chief executive, despite strong British opposition.

The leaders on Friday are expected to choose Juncker by an overwhelming majority as the candidate they'll propose to the European Parliament.

Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt says Juncker "is an experienced politician who has worked pragmatically for the European Union for many, many years."

British Prime Minister David Cameron is isolated in openly opposing Juncker's appointment as the head of the bloc's powerful executive arm. He views the 59-year-old as the embodiment of a pro-integration, consensus-favoring, empire-building Brussels clique that won't return power to member nations.