Herman Van Rompuy, the Belgian prime minister, has emerged as the favourite to become the first president of the European Union, despite being almost unknown on the international stage Mr Van Rompuy, who enjoys writing Japanese-style poetry, is regarded as the "safe" anti-Tony Blair choice for Germany and the smaller "dwarves gang" of EU countries. He has discussed taking up the post with his family over Sunday lunch this weekend and appears to be on course to be picked as the least controversial candidate.
Mr Van Rompuy, who enjoys writing Japanese-style poetry, is regarded as the "safe" anti-Tony Blair choice for Germany and the smaller "dwarves gang" of EU countries.
He has discussed taking up the post with his family over Sunday lunch this weekend and appears to be on course to be picked as the least controversial candidate.
Better late than never. EU leaders hope that the Lisbon treaty will come into force on December 1, almost a year later than originally envisaged. A new timetable has been drawn up following the disruption caused by Irish voters and the Czech President under which an EU President and Foreign Minister will take office as soon as January 1. Now that President Klaus has signed the treaty on behalf of the Czech Republic, the process will be complete when the formal articles of ratification are deposited in Rome, where the original treaties founding the European Economic Community in 1957 are held.
Better late than never.
EU leaders hope that the Lisbon treaty will come into force on December 1, almost a year later than originally envisaged.
A new timetable has been drawn up following the disruption caused by Irish voters and the Czech President under which an EU President and Foreign Minister will take office as soon as January 1.
Now that President Klaus has signed the treaty on behalf of the Czech Republic, the process will be complete when the formal articles of ratification are deposited in Rome, where the original treaties founding the European Economic Community in 1957 are held.
During his very first appearance in Brussels, in 2002, Dutch prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende immediately earned the respect of Jacques Chirac. But his emphasis on Dutch national interests has not made him popular everywhere.Now Tony Blair, former prime minister of the UK, has more or less been discounted and it has informally been agreed that the first president of the European Union will be a Christian Democrats, the spotlight has fallen on other candidates: Belgian premier Herman Van Rompuy, Luxemburg's Jean-Claude Juncker and Jan Peter Balkenende have risen up the list of those most mentioned. The Czech constitutional court on Tuesday approved the EU reform treaty. So government leaders of the 27 EU member states will probably decide at an extra European summit in the next weeks. Between now and then there is plenty of time for Balkenende to crash and burn, a worried Dutch official said last week in the corridors of power. But Balkenende is still in contention. And not just because other European leaders are thinking of him. He himself would love the job. Two years ago personnel in Balkenende's office had already noticed he was interested in a job in Brussels.
Now Tony Blair, former prime minister of the UK, has more or less been discounted and it has informally been agreed that the first president of the European Union will be a Christian Democrats, the spotlight has fallen on other candidates: Belgian premier Herman Van Rompuy, Luxemburg's Jean-Claude Juncker and Jan Peter Balkenende have risen up the list of those most mentioned.
The Czech constitutional court on Tuesday approved the EU reform treaty. So government leaders of the 27 EU member states will probably decide at an extra European summit in the next weeks. Between now and then there is plenty of time for Balkenende to crash and burn, a worried Dutch official said last week in the corridors of power. But Balkenende is still in contention. And not just because other European leaders are thinking of him. He himself would love the job. Two years ago personnel in Balkenende's office had already noticed he was interested in a job in Brussels.
