Bruton for President of Europe?
RTÉ are reporting that Taoiseach Brian Cowen has offered his support to the surprise candidacy of former Taoiseach and EU Amnassador to the United States, John Bruton. Before the surprise entry into the race of Mr. Bruton, the Government had officially supported the candidacy of the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. However, in recent weeks Blairs candidacy has gotten the cold shoulder from many of Europe’s leaders. The consensus is that the new President should be from one of the smaller states.
As members of the European Liberal Democrats (ELDR), Fianna Fáil are committed to supporting a Liberal for one of the top 2 positions post Lisbon ratification. Though, the chance to have an Irishman as President of the European Council is some thing which should unite all Irish political parties.
An Saoránach 
The leaders want a centre right, chairman style, small country leader but all ask John who? He should have conformed to protcol and told the Taoiseach first he was entering the race.
Brian Jordan
October 30, 2009
“The chance to have an Irishman as President of the European Council is some thing which should unite all Irish political parties.”
No, it shouldn’t. Instead, we should be focusing on backing the best candidates. Not that Bruton is not one of those but it is the logic of the sentiment with which I take issue. Nationality (and gender) should not matter. Surely quality should be the benchmark for offering support to any candidate…
umarahmed
November 5, 2009
The Economist recently referred to the candidacy of the Belgian prime minister as “comical” while Tony Blair’s would be quite good for the EU standing next to the US. While Blair is a good choice as a figure head, the Belgian prime minister is perhaps superior in negotiating common positions (which is necessary in divided Belgium). I have just posted on what might be behind the British position here. http://euandus3.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/228
euandus2
November 19, 2009