Tony Blair can count on the support of at least one old ally as he manoeuvres himself into position to become the first President of Europe -- Silvio Berlusconi. The Italian Prime Minister found time out from his own political battles to write a front-page letter in a right-wing newspaper, declaring his former holiday companion to be the best man for the job. "Tony Blair has got everything it needs to become the first president of the European Council," he wrote in Il Foglio. "He has everything it needs to be designated to that role, as soon as it will be judicially and politically possible . . . "In agreement with many other heads of government, and heads of state, and in co-ordination with the powers of the European Parliament, my Government and I will work to ensure we do not lose a great political legacy, made with courage, equilibrium and prudence without uncertainty."
Tony Blair can count on the support of at least one old ally as he manoeuvres himself into position to become the first President of Europe -- Silvio Berlusconi.
The Italian Prime Minister found time out from his own political battles to write a front-page letter in a right-wing newspaper, declaring his former holiday companion to be the best man for the job.
"Tony Blair has got everything it needs to become the first president of the European Council," he wrote in Il Foglio. "He has everything it needs to be designated to that role, as soon as it will be judicially and politically possible . . .
"In agreement with many other heads of government, and heads of state, and in co-ordination with the powers of the European Parliament, my Government and I will work to ensure we do not lose a great political legacy, made with courage, equilibrium and prudence without uncertainty."
He also played a memorable role in their Italian holidays, treating the Blairs to his legendary hospitality during a visit to his villa in Sardinia in 2004.
