Copenhagen - Despite statements saying that he was not a candidate as future full-time president of the European Council, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen remained favourite to the post among punters, reports said Tuesday.

Online bookmaker Bet24 had Rasmussen as favourite for the post that is envisaged under the European Union reform treaty, yet to be formally ratified by all member states.

"It is a mixture of rumours that have circulated, and also that the punters believe he is the top favourite," Bet24 marketing manager Kenneth Christiansen told Danish news agency Ritzau.

The odds for Rasmussen was at 3.5 to 1, shadowed by former British premier Tony Blair on 4.5 to 1 and Luxembourg's Prime Minister Jean- Claude Juncker on 6 to 1.

Christen said that Rasmussen's statements that he was not a candidate for the post as "Mr Europe" was "tactics, of course he does not want to reveal his candidacy yet."

A long-shot was former Swedish premier Goran Persson at 65 to 1.

The Danish parliament recently ratified the Lisbon Treaty but Denmark has still several opt-puts from the EU and unless they are dropped, political observers have said they would stop Rasmussen's chances. (dpa)