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Tony Blair, EU President?

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 14 2008 10:30 PM

Submitted by Nessuno. Edited By Uncognitive.

TAGS: Tony Blair, UK, EU, Lisbon Treaty

Tony Blair is one of the most unpopular prime ministers in recent memory for the U.K. Famous caricatures of him as President Bush's lapdog or servant were relatively common in the years following his support of the Iraq war. I remember several Britons telling me about celebrating when he finally stepped down. Now, he wants to be president of the EU. But only if "you give me the power".

This desire of Blair's occurs in the middle of an important change in the nature of the European Union itself. Some may remember the proposed European Constitution in 2005 that France and the Netherlands rejected. In 2007 a similar yet revised plan was put forward, variously called "The Lisbon Treaty", "The Reform Treaty", and "The Treaty Establishing The European Community". The proposed treaty would amend already existing treaties between EU nations and make the position of EU council president a position with real power behind it. The treaty would give the council president, among other things, power to intervene in trade and defense. Because of this and other powers the position is now being dubbed "President of the EU" by some.

An editorial in the Guardian explains about Blair:

"This is the same man who claimed, as prime minister, to be opposed to European federalism and tenacious in defence of Britain's national sovereignty. But now that the job of European president may be within his grasp, his desire is for it to be as powerful as possible, whatever the consequences for Britain; and he doesn't seem to mind that the power he seeks could even stick in the gullet of 'pro-Europeans'."

But nonetheless Blair

"has been holding discussions with some of his oldest allies on how he could mount a campaign later this year to become full-time president of the EU council"

And has already gotten the backing of French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who has been actively promoting Blair, according to a recent article in the Guardian.

One reason he seems to want the position is his reported unhappiness with his lack of position in the Israeli - Palestinian talks this year, despite being the Middle East envoy.

Oh, and he may be losing his job.

"Some senior figures believe he could yet be a loser in the carve-up of four big European jobs due to be distributed at the end of the French presidency in the second half of this year. Some claim that if the commission president, Jos� Manuel Barroso, wanted to remain in post for a second term, it would be difficult for Blair, a political ally and previous advocate for Barroso, to hold the parallel, prestigious European council job."

Fortunately, Blair himself doubts that the position's powers will be ratified by the EU and the position has two other possible candidates. Former Austrian chancellor Wolfgang Sch�ssel, backed by Germany, and the current Luxembourg prime minister, Jean-Claude Juncker.

Blair may just be staying true to his nature, which lusts for a key position in whatever he does, but those positions also seem to be the ones where he can do the most damage.

32 Comments

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Clidna

Emo, ON

January 2005

FEB 14, 2008 10:46 PM

When did the UK start having a President??? I thought they had Prime Ministers, even Queens and Kings...

kiwirst1

United Kingdom

June 2007

FEB 15, 2008 01:06 AM

So he will strive to achieve a better EU (ala a better UK while he was prime minister) & not achieve anything except become a bigger puppet for his master over a much larger part of the world? Is there going to be anywhere left on this small rock that will be safe?

Nessuno

Washington, DC

May 2006

FEB 15, 2008 01:41 AM

Clidna said:
When did the UK start having a President??? I thought they had Prime Ministers, even Queens and Kings...

Very good point. I intended to write Prime Minister, for his previous post. But since the post is being referred to as 'president of the EU', I combined the titles. My mistake.

SaucisseDanseuse

Italy

March 2005

FEB 15, 2008 03:04 AM

god spare us.

but i'd like to see him try, and get his ass kicked in the election polls.

ironic how he wants to be all european, when he didn't even agree to accept the euro as currency in the uk. just a lil signal that he doesn't care about a united europe. all he wants is power... blah.

Bev_Antain

Italy

February 2004

FEB 15, 2008 03:04 AM

Is it just me, or is that a rather scary prospect for the future?

Michaeljack

I'm lost

October 2004

FEB 15, 2008 03:17 AM

I hate Blair with such a passion after the things he did as UK prime minister, to him its all about personal power no matter what or who he has to crush to get it, not so different from many other politicians i gues but its the way his government hid their wrongdoings while calling themselves whiter than white and moreso how so many fools seemed to believe him that truly ignite my ire. Anyone voting for this obscenity deserves exactly what they get from him...

ki1

Ireland

September 2007

FEB 15, 2008 03:45 AM

blair was, and is, a dickhead. i think the referendum will be defeated here as well. us irish have a fierce independant streak at the moment. their is no information being given out at present on the proposed changes, which means the majority will vote no.