Just from this thread:
according to the consulted sources, it was valued that Ashton was a Commissioner and had a good relationship with Barroso since, as High Representative, she will be Vice President of the European Commission. In addition, a large part of the new Foreign Service of the EU, which she will lead, will be made up of current Commission functionnaries. Finally, her current responsibility, the Trade portfolio, had a foreign component.
her friends say she has considerable quiet charm. "She has achieved more in one year than Peter Mandelson did in four," said one. "He was too abrasive, whereas Cathy is patient and good at building alliances. It is the style of politics that works in Brussels." Or as Ashton herself put it in a waspish interview last year: "Everyone has their own style. Peter did a fantastic job in my view, but I bring a different style. I don't know any oligarchs. I don't think I've ever been on anyone's yacht." During her time in Brussels Ashton, a former health authority chairwoman who had never held elected office, forged an alliance with Barroso. She used her experience of fixing votes in the Lords to help the commission chairman out of difficulties with the Brussels parliament.
Or as Ashton herself put it in a waspish interview last year: "Everyone has their own style. Peter did a fantastic job in my view, but I bring a different style. I don't know any oligarchs. I don't think I've ever been on anyone's yacht."
During her time in Brussels Ashton, a former health authority chairwoman who had never held elected office, forged an alliance with Barroso. She used her experience of fixing votes in the Lords to help the commission chairman out of difficulties with the Brussels parliament.
The fact is,
Barroso had demanded that EU leaders be given the choice of a woman for one of the top Brussels jobs
the Socialist considered that it was their responsibility to place a woman in one of the positions of highest responsibility in the EU, as progressive sectors had been demanding. In addition
A woman candidate was requested, one was offered and she was elected. En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma
That's what I am interested in - not if she is charming or if she has a good relation with Barroso or if she gets much done, that's nice but I would like to know here ideas behind what she gets done.
It is absolutely possible that she might turn out to do a great job, but at the moment this is all guesswork, until we know where stands on these and other topics.
And you have every right to see it your way, but I am still not convinced - that if Miliband had accepted, there would be two man in this two top positions
And that would be the end of the World as we know it? En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma
How many women are likely to be members of the new Commission compared to the old? The fact that there was a wish to see a woman at the top can be seen as much as CYA as a genuine concern for gender equality.
How many women are likely to be members of the new Commission compared to the old?
As I read somewhere: fewer. A vote for PES is a vote for EPP! A vote for EPP is a vote for PES! Support the coalition, vote EPP-PES in 2009!
