The Associated Press: Could Blair Lead New EU?He sent troops to Iraq against stiff opposition in Paris and Berlin, rejected the Euro as fellow leaders embraced economic harmony and angered neighbors by playing hardball over the European Union budget.So why is Tony Blair emerging as a candidate to become Europe's first president?The former British prime minister, who led his nation for 10 years and won three successive elections, has been touted as a strong contender for the post of EU president -- a job being created under a new EU treaty that aims to streamline the bloc's often complex decision-making.But elsewhere on the continent a campaign dedicated to halting Blair's bid before it officially starts is gathering widespread support. A "Stop Blair" Internet petition launched by a group of European bloggers has attracted around 4,000 signatures since it was posted Tuesday, while a statement opposing his candidacy has been translated into nine languages. "His role in the Iraq war would weigh heavily on the image of the (European) Union in the world," a statement by the European Tribune group said. "We declare our total opposition to this nomination."
The Associated Press: Could Blair Lead New EU?
He sent troops to Iraq against stiff opposition in Paris and Berlin, rejected the Euro as fellow leaders embraced economic harmony and angered neighbors by playing hardball over the European Union budget.
So why is Tony Blair emerging as a candidate to become Europe's first president?
The former British prime minister, who led his nation for 10 years and won three successive elections, has been touted as a strong contender for the post of EU president -- a job being created under a new EU treaty that aims to streamline the bloc's often complex decision-making.But elsewhere on the continent a campaign dedicated to halting Blair's bid before it officially starts is gathering widespread support.
A "Stop Blair" Internet petition launched by a group of European bloggers has attracted around 4,000 signatures since it was posted Tuesday, while a statement opposing his candidacy has been translated into nine languages.
"His role in the Iraq war would weigh heavily on the image of the (European) Union in the world," a statement by the European Tribune group said. "We declare our total opposition to this nomination."
The Associated Press: Could Blair Lead New EU?He sent troops to Iraq against stiff opposition in Paris and Berlin, rejected the Euro as fellow leaders embraced economic harmony and angered neighbors by playing hardball over the European Union budget.So why is Tony Blair emerging as a candidate to become Europe's first president?The former British prime minister, who led his nation for 10 years and won three successive elections, has been touted as a strong contender for the post of EU president -- a job being created under a new EU treaty that aims to streamline the bloc's often complex decision-making.[...]But elsewhere on the continent a campaign dedicated to halting Blair's bid before it officially starts is gathering widespread support. A "Stop Blair" Internet petition launched by a group of European bloggers has attracted around 4,000 signatures since it was posted Tuesday, while a statement opposing his candidacy has been translated into nine languages. "His role in the Iraq war would weigh heavily on the image of the (European) Union in the world," a statement by the European Tribune group said. "We declare our total opposition to this nomination."
The former British prime minister, who led his nation for 10 years and won three successive elections, has been touted as a strong contender for the post of EU president -- a job being created under a new EU treaty that aims to streamline the bloc's often complex decision-making.
[...]
But elsewhere on the continent a campaign dedicated to halting Blair's bid before it officially starts is gathering widespread support.
