Sarkozy is said to have gone cool on Blair and could support Felipe González, the former Spanish prime minister, while Merkel's opposition seems to have diminished despite the fact that Blair is widely mistrusted in Germany for his role in the Iraq war and because he failed to use his 10 years in Downing Street to put Britain "at the heart of Europe". Privately, senior Swedish officials questioned the merits of a Blair presidency. Running the EU for the next year, the Swedish and Spanish governments enjoy agenda-setting powers that could complicate a Blair bid. The Briton's main assets, however, are name and brand recognition, international contacts, and the absence, so far, of any serious rival for the post. Last year, the Germans were said to be backing either Jean-Claude Juncker, the veteran prime minister of Luxembourg, or Wolfgang Schüssel, the former Austrian chancellor. Both are no longer mentioned as credible contenders.
Privately, senior Swedish officials questioned the merits of a Blair presidency. Running the EU for the next year, the Swedish and Spanish governments enjoy agenda-setting powers that could complicate a Blair bid.
The Briton's main assets, however, are name and brand recognition, international contacts, and the absence, so far, of any serious rival for the post.
Last year, the Germans were said to be backing either Jean-Claude Juncker, the veteran prime minister of Luxembourg, or Wolfgang Schüssel, the former Austrian chancellor. Both are no longer mentioned as credible contenders.
Because Sarko's delaration for González preceded it.
There is also a possibility that Brown wants to set up Bliar for exiting the political stage once and for all; but by now I don't think Brown is that cunning. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
I'd say we need to be ready to revive the petition, just in case.
