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Prime ministers

Blair as EU President: A Leading Candidate with Unresolved Opponents

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A concerted campaign to appoint Tony Blair as the first European Union president has begun, with David Miliband calling him the "leading candidate" for the position. The Foreign Secretary emphasized the importance of Britain playing a leading role in developing a strong European foreign policy to maintain its global influence. As EU Ministers meet in Brussels to discuss the presidency, the final hurdle to the Lisbon Treaty, which would create a full-time EU presidency, is the ratification by Czech President Vaclav Klaus.

Key Takeaways:

  • David Miliband has declared Tony Blair as the "leading candidate" for the EU presidency, sparking a campaign to have him appointed.
  • The former Prime Minister is keen to become president, but only if it has a strong diplomatic role and is not caught up in a squabble between EU member states.
  • Prime Minister Gordon Brown has endorsed Blair, but refused to say more until he makes his intentions clear.
  • The key player in deciding the EU presidency will be Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, who is reportedly concerned about the Eurosceptic tone of the Conservative party.
  • Ratification of the Lisbon Treaty would prevent a referendum on the treaty if David Cameron becomes Prime Minister.
  • The treaty's ratification by President Klaus is the final hurdle to its implementation.
  • The EU Ministers will discuss the presidency at a meeting in Brussels, with a special summit of all 27 EU leaders to be held in November to decide on the first incumbent.
  • The UK's relationship with the EU could unravel if the country pursues Eurosceptic instincts, according to Miliband.

Statistics:

  • 27 EU leaders will attend the special summit in November to decide on the first EU president.
  • 12 EU countries, including the UK, have ratified the Lisbon Treaty.
  • The Czech Republic is the final country required to ratify the treaty, with President Klaus's committee expected to decide soon.
  • The EU presidency post will be created under the Lisbon Treaty, which will enter EU law if ratified.
  • The Conservative party's policy to renegotiate elements of the Lisbon Treaty and hold a referendum if possible is seen as a "deception of the country" by David Miliband.

Sources:

  • "David Miliband backs Tony Blair for EU presidency" - The Guardian (exact date not specified)
  • "Miliband backs Blair for EU president" - BBC News (exact date not specified)
  • "Tony Blair ‘waiting to see what kind of president European Council wants’" - The Guardian (exact date not specified)
  • "Angela Merkel: EU must lead world, or follow America" - The Times (exact date not specified)
  • "Tory vow to hold EU referendum" - The Daily Telegraph (exact date not specified)

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