Independent.ie: Taoiseach backs Tony Blair for EU president job
TAOISEACH Brian Cowen yesterday backed former British prime minister Tony Blair to become the first so-called EU president. [...] Mr Cowen said he would be supportive if Mr Blair's name was put forward. "I've certainly the highest regard for Tony Blair and obviously we await and see if, in fact, he's a candidate, but you can take it that we'd be very supportive yes," he said.
[...]
Mr Cowen said he would be supportive if Mr Blair's name was put forward.
"I've certainly the highest regard for Tony Blair and obviously we await and see if, in fact, he's a candidate, but you can take it that we'd be very supportive yes," he said.
What about the others? The last time I heard Sarkozy he was backing Gonzales, but apparently Fillon might also be up for the job?
Irish Examiner: Robinson candidate for EU presidency
FORMER president Mary Robinson is among a number of high-profile names being tipped to become the first president of the European Union, a position created by the resounding Yes vote in favour of the Lisbon Treaty. The post of president of the council will be created once the treaty is fully ratified, a prospect looking more likely after the Irish people endorsed it with a 67% Yes vote. Vice-president of the EU Commission Margot Wallstrom said: "We have started to hear some names and finally I have heard the name of Mary Robinson being mentioned. I am very glad about this." "It would be very, very good, she is a true European. This is about leadership and she has that leadership quality. She is highly respected everywhere," said Commissioner Wallstrom, a view echoed by other senior sources from across the political divide in Brussels.
The post of president of the council will be created once the treaty is fully ratified, a prospect looking more likely after the Irish people endorsed it with a 67% Yes vote.
Vice-president of the EU Commission Margot Wallstrom said: "We have started to hear some names and finally I have heard the name of Mary Robinson being mentioned. I am very glad about this."
"It would be very, very good, she is a true European. This is about leadership and she has that leadership quality. She is highly respected everywhere," said Commissioner Wallstrom, a view echoed by other senior sources from across the political divide in Brussels.
However, I do have to wonder whether Mary would be "suitable" for the post. She is a very able lawyer and advocate but probably not very good at hobnobbing with Prime Ministers and cobbling together back room deal reconciling the competing interests of 27 prima donnas.
It all depends on whether we want a "front of the house" or a "backroom wheeler dealer" type of President. notes from no w here
excellent choice! ~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~
She is highly regarded by top level politicians. She did a great job as UN High Commissioner on Human Rights and as the founder and president of Realizing Rights. "Dieu se rit des hommes qui se plaignent des conséquences alors qu'ils en chérissent les causes" Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet
A few days ago, you asked me if I had a candidate to suggest. Mary Robinson would probably be the best I could find, but I don't know what are her chances. "Dieu se rit des hommes qui se plaignent des conséquences alors qu'ils en chérissent les causes" Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet
"AIPAC respectfully calls on the administration to firmly, fully and publicly repudiate her views on Israel and her long public record of hostility and one-sided bias against the Jewish state," the pro-Israel lobby said in a relatively rare public statement.
It's not necessarily a very bad shot either, unless one of the government leaders will put the foot down and veto.
Tony has his communications boys at work.
That could be a mistake. Heads of Governments (HOGs) really don't like being bounced into things and may like the idea of being seen to be big enough to give Tony his comeuppance. The Unanimity rule leads to a least common denominator winning - someone who no one is dead against... notes from no w here
