Corbett, a former close advisor to incumbent council president Herman Van Rompuy, argues that of all the EU top posts, "the European council is the most difficult EU institution to chair."
The council can only take policy decisions by consensus of the 28 prime ministers and presidents around the table.
"[We're talking about] 28 prima donnas, most of whom are used to getting their own way at national level, but who suddenly find themselves in a meeting where none of them can do anything unless all the others agree," Corbett told the Parliament Magazine.#
"[Tusk] needs to be able to work discreetly, to listen, explain, persuade, cajole, and if necessary knock heads together" - Richard Corbett
Corbett, who regained his seat in the European parliament in May is well-known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of the EU institutions.
The British socialist deputy suggests that to succeed as president of the council, "Donald Tusk needs to be capable of building the necessary consensus time and time again. He needs to be able to work discreetly, to listen, explain, persuade, cajole, and if necessary knock heads together."
And although Tusk - unlike the president of the European commission - is not accountable to the European parliament, Corbett argues that, "Tusk will no doubt want to continue Herman Van Rompuy's policy of keeping the European parliament fully informed, and work with its members on a range of policy areas."