The European Council President was berated by a series of MEPs in Strasbourg after he oversaw the selection of German defence minister Ursula von der Leyen as the next European Commission chief. Mr Tusk was accused of undermining the Parliament after the new leadership package was whole negotiated by EU leaders in Brussels. MEPs vented their frustrations after all of their candidates were disregarded by leaders in the backroom deal.

In his opening remarks, Mr Tusk celebrated the fact that leaders had decided to support a woman to lead the Commission for the first time in its history.

He said: “I feel happy and proud we have achieved perfect gender balance in the top positions. A very positive change.

“Europe is not only talking about women, it is choosing women. I hope this choice will inspire many girls and women to fight for their beliefs and passions.”

But focus quickly moved back to MEPs’ unease with the overall selection process.

Donald Tusk ignores MEPs’ concerns over European Commission presidency (Image: GETTY)

Gonzalez Pons, spokesman for the centre-right European People’s Party, who saw their candidate Manfred Weber rejected for the top job, accused Mr Tusk of showing a “lack of respect”.

Mr Pons said: “I’m not going to congratulate the Council.

“President Tusk, I cannot support how things were done and the lack of request that you’ve shown to other institutions.”

Philippe Lamberts, co-chair of the Greens group, said: “We need to ensure the European Union works in the interests of all of us.

“That’s why a project contract would allow us to have someone who has emerged from the elections as president of the European Commission. A personality who is credible to support all of this – supported by a large majority, by the parties who won the elections.

“Given a situation like that, the Council would have no choice but to go along with it, otherwise risking a conflict with the European Parliament.”

Citing the challenges faced by the bloc, Mr Lamberts concluded: “Only an alliance of change can save us.”

Marco Zanni, who leads the eurosceptic Identity and Democracy Group, said the top jobs process was “unfit” for European citizens.

He added voters have been left “disappointed” by the “inter-institutional wrangling going on over the last few days”.

“That’s something the European citizens will not be able to understand. The Council has decided to select a rather moot method.”

At the end of the debate, Mr Tusk refused to answer the concerns of MEPs voiced in the chamber.

He said: “I would very much like our two institutions to cooperate in the best possible way so today I will refrain from any comment.

Ursula von der Leyen was nominated as the European Commission’s head by EU leaders (Image: GETTY)

“I hope that we will all take responsibility for the new leadership to be well balanced in every aspect.”

Mr Tusk’s silence sparked anger in the chamber as MEPs jeered the European Council chief.

Meanwhile, British MEPs ignored the top jobs debate and went to war over Brexit.

Brexit Party MEP Anne Widdecombe blast: “If I needed any convincing at all that the best thing for Britain is to leave here as soon as possible it was the way that those elections were conducted yesterday.

 “If that is this place’s idea of democracy then that is a serious betrayal of every country that is represented here because it is not democratic at all and that is just one of many reasons why Britain is right to be leaving this place, hopefully on Halloween.

“There is a pattern consistent throughout history of oppressed people turning on the oppressors. Slaves against their owners, the peasantry against the feudal barons, colonies Mr Verhofstadt against their empires. And that is why Britain is leaving and it doesn’t matter which language you use we are going and we are glad to be going.”

Liberal Democrat MEP Martin Horwood took aim at the former Tory MP in his remarks.

Mr Horwood said: “Can I tell you Mr President that what you heard from that back corner does not represent the views of everyone in the United Kingdom.”

He moved on to praise Mr Tusk for showing “patience” with Britain throughout the Brexit negotiations.

The former Lib Dem MP said: “Can I thank you President Tusk for you patience with our national parliament. And to ask you to ask your successor to continue that policy of time and patience and understanding at times even when it appears our government has no plan.

“Mr Bean or Monthy Python might have done it better… But Brexit is NOT inevitable! Opinion is shifting in Britain otherwise we would not be here. And those of us who support Europe also need Europe’s support!”