EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has sided with smaller member states in trying to restrict the role of the
proposed president of the European Council, a new post created by the Lisbon Treaty. Addressing the European Parliament on Wednesday (7 October), Mr
Barroso chastised MEPs for referring to the post as "president of Europe." ..... Some member states, such as France, have indicated they want to
create a major player with the presidential job by appointing someone who can open doors in the US and China and who can give the EU some gravitas on
the world stage.
Barroso fears powerful 'European president'
So France (and probaly Germany) wants to have a really powerful President Of the EU.
Tony Blair is still the main candidate but most MEP's do not think he will ever become president, since he's English.
"Yes he is a big character but you can't do the job if your member state is not in big EU policies [such as EMU]," said the prominent
industrialist, who currently sits on the board of numerous cross-border companies and is a key behind-the-scenes mover in European circles.
Mr Blair has emerged as a frontrunner in recent days following reports that German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been persuaded to swing behind the
British candidate.
EU Council president must manage national leaders, says Barroso
It's going to be exiting to see which kind of power this new President will get. Probaly not so much to start with, but in the long run I'm sure it
will become a real powerfull President!
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