Never mind that the Tories oppose him, never mind that the British do not want him, never mind that many EU citizens reject him, for Charlemagne’s notebook Tony Blair is the only serious candidate, the only world leader (Ex-leader, I would venture.): Europe’s global credibility in the balance (17 November 2009).
“Narcissistic parochialism” seems to describe any discussion about alternative candidates to become president of the European Council.
The world looks simple when you see only former UK prime minister Tony Blair v “non-entities”. Does anyone see traces of British superiority behind the line-up of the arguments?
***
To be taken seriously, seriously
President Barack Obama is not going to rise in the middle of the night because Tony is the caller. Obama is smart enough to learn the name of a European Council president who has something valuable to say. Not least because of the United Kingdom, the European Union will continue to have difficulties coordinating its international actions. If it succeeds, the world will listen, but that requires more work than motorcades.
Ralf Grahn
P.S. Do you find EUSSR myths fascinating? Are we EU citizens worth a better European Union? Read the Euroblogs aggregated on multilingual Bloggingportal.eu, and discuss our common European future.
Showing posts with label Tony Blair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tony Blair. Show all posts
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Friday, 30 October 2009
Lisbon Treaty vs Blair
Should the European Council have a president as outlined in the Lisbon Treaty, or a coup d’état stopping traffic in some of the already most congested cities in the world?
Yesterday’s battles
The Open Europe blog reminds us that some are still fighting yesterday’s battles against EU reform in the shape of the Lisbon Treaty, in “It’s not too late” (29 October 2009).
***
Discussion roundup
Erkan’s Field Diary offers a roundup of links concerning the candidacy of Jean-Claude Juncker, who represents the Lisbon Treaty conception, and of Tony Blair, who represents the projections of grandeur.
***
Blair campaign
The new top jobs are not on the agenda of the European Council, but they are the focus of media interest and intensive discussions at the margins of the official meetings.
Yesterday evening UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown rolled out the heavy artillery to blast the trail for his Labour predecessor Tony Blair. If British mainstream media are anything to go by, Brown’s campaign was far from a resounding success.
“A tough pitch for Blair”, reports Gavin Hewitt for the BBC (29 October 2009).
“Blair’s EU presidency bid runs into trouble as summit starts”, writes Tony Barber on the FT Brussels blog (29 October 2009).
Charlemagne’s notebook observes that “An EU summit turns sour for Mr Blair” (30 October 2009).
The BBC reports that lack of support from European socialist leaders makes Blair’s chances seem slimmer than before, in “Blow to Blair’s hopes of EU job” (30 October 2009).
Brown’s failure to win over the European socialist leaders is reported clearly by John O’Donnell and Tim Castle in “Blair’s chances of EU president role slip” (Reuters, 29 October 2009).
EUbusiness summarises “Support for Britain’s Blair as EU president fading: reports” (30 October 2009).
Simon Taylor reports in the same vein as the others, in “Top EU jobs left undecided” (30 October 2009), clearly indicating that the socialist leaders are more interested in the office of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Andrew Rettman and Valentina Pop concur with the others, but add a few remarks on the other candidates for the top positions, in “EU summit sees fresh discussion on top appointments” (EUobserver, 30 October 2009).
Financial Times Deutschland has a more definitive headline than the others, abandoning all hope for Blair, in „Blair muss Hoffnungen auf Ratsvorsitz aufgeben” (29 October 2009).
The Stop Blair petition has now grown to 43,836 signatures.
***
British opposition
The Labour government may be behind Blair, and Gordon Brown may believe that most of the country would want to see a British president of the European Council. But Blair meets resistance at home as well as in the rest of Europe, and segments of UK opinion fiercely reject practically anything having to do with the European Union.
A short while ago, the BBC’s question on Have Your Say, “Who should be the first president of the EU”, had attracted 1,181 comments, few of the ones published this far are supportive of Blair.
In The Telegraph, James Kirkup and Bruno Waterfield report that “Only third of voters want Tony Blair to be EU president” (30 October 2009), referring to a Daily Telegraph/YouGov poll.
The Conservative shadow cabinet has been up in arms against appointing Blair, with William Hague calling it a hostile act and David Cameron wishing for a more “chairmanic” role, if there has to be a president of the European Council. Whispered, but less than subtle hints in “Conservatives threaten ‘five year war’ over President Blair”, by James Kirkup (The Telegraph, 28 October 2009).
It comes as no surprise that the Telegraph blogger Nile Gardiner, who works at the US Heritage Foundation, combines his loathing of the European Union, the Lisbon Treaty and Tony Blair in “Five reasons why Tony Blair should not be EU President” (29 October 2009). This is the antithesis of those who see Blair as a failed European.
Almost every article has a comments section, which gives an indication of public sentiment in Britain. I have left out most of the tabloids, but read and reflect.
***
Forward
It looks as if the European Council is going to get a centre-right president from a smaller member state, a consensus building chairman in the image of the Lisbon Treaty.
The socialist leaders have a chance to put forward a name for the high representative, and Britain could corner this influential post, if it supports David Miliband. (I would rank it above one of the economic portfolios in the Commission.)
If the Lisbon Treaty clears the Czech Constitutional Court and President Vaclav Klaus is good to his word, the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council starts formal consultations. An extra summit in about two weeks time could take on the nominations: Commission, president, high representative. The extra European Council could also deal with other implementing issues required by the Lisbon Treaty.
For the citizens, the backroom dealings are a reminder of the structure of the European Union. It is based on the member states and the national leaders are the main protagonists. Only a democratic EU would give the citizens the decisive voice over where the union should head and who should be at the steering wheel.
Ralf Grahn
Yesterday’s battles
The Open Europe blog reminds us that some are still fighting yesterday’s battles against EU reform in the shape of the Lisbon Treaty, in “It’s not too late” (29 October 2009).
***
Discussion roundup
Erkan’s Field Diary offers a roundup of links concerning the candidacy of Jean-Claude Juncker, who represents the Lisbon Treaty conception, and of Tony Blair, who represents the projections of grandeur.
***
Blair campaign
The new top jobs are not on the agenda of the European Council, but they are the focus of media interest and intensive discussions at the margins of the official meetings.
Yesterday evening UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown rolled out the heavy artillery to blast the trail for his Labour predecessor Tony Blair. If British mainstream media are anything to go by, Brown’s campaign was far from a resounding success.
“A tough pitch for Blair”, reports Gavin Hewitt for the BBC (29 October 2009).
“Blair’s EU presidency bid runs into trouble as summit starts”, writes Tony Barber on the FT Brussels blog (29 October 2009).
Charlemagne’s notebook observes that “An EU summit turns sour for Mr Blair” (30 October 2009).
The BBC reports that lack of support from European socialist leaders makes Blair’s chances seem slimmer than before, in “Blow to Blair’s hopes of EU job” (30 October 2009).
Brown’s failure to win over the European socialist leaders is reported clearly by John O’Donnell and Tim Castle in “Blair’s chances of EU president role slip” (Reuters, 29 October 2009).
EUbusiness summarises “Support for Britain’s Blair as EU president fading: reports” (30 October 2009).
Simon Taylor reports in the same vein as the others, in “Top EU jobs left undecided” (30 October 2009), clearly indicating that the socialist leaders are more interested in the office of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Andrew Rettman and Valentina Pop concur with the others, but add a few remarks on the other candidates for the top positions, in “EU summit sees fresh discussion on top appointments” (EUobserver, 30 October 2009).
Financial Times Deutschland has a more definitive headline than the others, abandoning all hope for Blair, in „Blair muss Hoffnungen auf Ratsvorsitz aufgeben” (29 October 2009).
The Stop Blair petition has now grown to 43,836 signatures.
***
British opposition
The Labour government may be behind Blair, and Gordon Brown may believe that most of the country would want to see a British president of the European Council. But Blair meets resistance at home as well as in the rest of Europe, and segments of UK opinion fiercely reject practically anything having to do with the European Union.
A short while ago, the BBC’s question on Have Your Say, “Who should be the first president of the EU”, had attracted 1,181 comments, few of the ones published this far are supportive of Blair.
In The Telegraph, James Kirkup and Bruno Waterfield report that “Only third of voters want Tony Blair to be EU president” (30 October 2009), referring to a Daily Telegraph/YouGov poll.
The Conservative shadow cabinet has been up in arms against appointing Blair, with William Hague calling it a hostile act and David Cameron wishing for a more “chairmanic” role, if there has to be a president of the European Council. Whispered, but less than subtle hints in “Conservatives threaten ‘five year war’ over President Blair”, by James Kirkup (The Telegraph, 28 October 2009).
It comes as no surprise that the Telegraph blogger Nile Gardiner, who works at the US Heritage Foundation, combines his loathing of the European Union, the Lisbon Treaty and Tony Blair in “Five reasons why Tony Blair should not be EU President” (29 October 2009). This is the antithesis of those who see Blair as a failed European.
Almost every article has a comments section, which gives an indication of public sentiment in Britain. I have left out most of the tabloids, but read and reflect.
***
Forward
It looks as if the European Council is going to get a centre-right president from a smaller member state, a consensus building chairman in the image of the Lisbon Treaty.
The socialist leaders have a chance to put forward a name for the high representative, and Britain could corner this influential post, if it supports David Miliband. (I would rank it above one of the economic portfolios in the Commission.)
If the Lisbon Treaty clears the Czech Constitutional Court and President Vaclav Klaus is good to his word, the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council starts formal consultations. An extra summit in about two weeks time could take on the nominations: Commission, president, high representative. The extra European Council could also deal with other implementing issues required by the Lisbon Treaty.
For the citizens, the backroom dealings are a reminder of the structure of the European Union. It is based on the member states and the national leaders are the main protagonists. Only a democratic EU would give the citizens the decisive voice over where the union should head and who should be at the steering wheel.
Ralf Grahn
Friday, 16 October 2009
If Britons do not support Tony Blair?
According to a fresh Angus Reid poll, 47 per cent of Britons moderately or strongly oppose Tony Blair as the first president of the European Council. Moderate or strong support comes from 32 per cent, while 20 per cent are unsure.
Why should the rest of the European Union be more Blairite than the British public?
Despite his long and distinguished career as Prime Minister of Britain, Blair is a failed European.
President Nicolas Sarkozy of France appears to have softened his support for Blair. In a long interview in Le Figaro, Sarkozy admits that there is opposition and he acknowledges that Britain being outside the eurozone is a problem.
***
Mary Robinson
A short while ago, the Facebook group in support of Mary Robinson had 5,410 members. Yesterday morning they were 5,163, so 247 new supporters had joined in little more than 24 hours.
Ralf Grahn
Why should the rest of the European Union be more Blairite than the British public?
Despite his long and distinguished career as Prime Minister of Britain, Blair is a failed European.
President Nicolas Sarkozy of France appears to have softened his support for Blair. In a long interview in Le Figaro, Sarkozy admits that there is opposition and he acknowledges that Britain being outside the eurozone is a problem.
***
Mary Robinson
A short while ago, the Facebook group in support of Mary Robinson had 5,410 members. Yesterday morning they were 5,163, so 247 new supporters had joined in little more than 24 hours.
Ralf Grahn
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Why President Blair?
If Ireland has approved the EU Lisbon Treaty, discussion about the new President of the European Council starts in earnest.
Sweden’s Fredrik Reinfeldt, Carl Bildt and Cecilia Malmström can use the time between the last essential country approval and the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon for open and transparent nomination procedures.
British media have already trumpeted the election of Tony Blair referring to each other, but before rushing ahead there is need for rational and open discussion.
From a European perspective, let us look at the man, the country and the reactions.
***
The man
Tony Blair is remembered as a long serving Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and for at least one stirring speech on Europe.
Blair is also remembered for the non-ratification of the Constitutional Treaty, “red lines” and four major British opt-outs leading to a weaker Lisbon Treaty, and for greater loyalty towards the administration of George W. Bush than towards efforts to find a European position on Iraq.
***
The country
The Labour government of Gordon Brown is said to support Blair, but the government is on its last legs.
Britain has ratified the Lisbon Treaty, with four major opt-outs, and it is known as a grudging and minimalist member state in the European Union.
In a few months this relationship is set to turn from bad to worse. A new Conservative government will predictably take over. The Tories have already done their best to flee to the fringes of European politics. They have left the mainstream European People’s Party (old EPP-ED group) in the European Parliament, and they have formed the anti-integrationist European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group together with other hard line nationalists.
Under David Cameron and William Hague, the Conservative Party has loudly promised its best efforts to wreck the Lisbon Treaty, offering under hand support to the headstrong Czech President Vaclav Klaus to oppose approval by the parliament of his own country.
The Tories reject the basic tenet of evolving integration, by promising negotiations to roll back existing EU competences.
Perversely, instead of leaving the European Union, they want to stay on the inside to play their veto card against the interests of Europe and EU citizens.
Despite Britain’s many assets, it is no longer in the interest of the European Union to keep the United Kingdom as a member. The grass roots of the Conservative Party are in favour of secession. For once the interests of Europe and anti-European Brits coincide.
An In or Out referendum would settle the matter, at least for a few decades. A more mature Britain could reapply in due time.
***
Reactions
According Times Online (3 October 2009) William Hague, the Conservative shadow secretary for foreign policy, sees Blair as the worst choice for Britain and the European Union.
If the (probable) next UK government does not want Blair, what do active Europeans think?
Just a few examples:
Read the petition and the comments on European Tribune’s Stop Blair!
Read the comments following Jean Quatremer’s blog post on Coulisses de Bruxelles, where the duo Tony Blair and Frank Walter Steinmeier was presented as a done deal.
***
The Swedish Presidency and the European leaders should consider the track records of potential candidates and listen to the opinions before they decide on the new President of the European Council.
It is difficult to see Tony Blair as a good choice for the European Union. As a European he has fallen short of expectations. His country is turning into a disaster for the European Union, if it stays, and the next government is dead set against him. Popular opinion would hardly welcome the choice of Blair.
To the European Council: Arrange open nominations and allow for a free discussion, including media debates, before you act!
Ralf Grahn
Sweden’s Fredrik Reinfeldt, Carl Bildt and Cecilia Malmström can use the time between the last essential country approval and the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon for open and transparent nomination procedures.
British media have already trumpeted the election of Tony Blair referring to each other, but before rushing ahead there is need for rational and open discussion.
From a European perspective, let us look at the man, the country and the reactions.
***
The man
Tony Blair is remembered as a long serving Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and for at least one stirring speech on Europe.
Blair is also remembered for the non-ratification of the Constitutional Treaty, “red lines” and four major British opt-outs leading to a weaker Lisbon Treaty, and for greater loyalty towards the administration of George W. Bush than towards efforts to find a European position on Iraq.
***
The country
The Labour government of Gordon Brown is said to support Blair, but the government is on its last legs.
Britain has ratified the Lisbon Treaty, with four major opt-outs, and it is known as a grudging and minimalist member state in the European Union.
In a few months this relationship is set to turn from bad to worse. A new Conservative government will predictably take over. The Tories have already done their best to flee to the fringes of European politics. They have left the mainstream European People’s Party (old EPP-ED group) in the European Parliament, and they have formed the anti-integrationist European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group together with other hard line nationalists.
Under David Cameron and William Hague, the Conservative Party has loudly promised its best efforts to wreck the Lisbon Treaty, offering under hand support to the headstrong Czech President Vaclav Klaus to oppose approval by the parliament of his own country.
The Tories reject the basic tenet of evolving integration, by promising negotiations to roll back existing EU competences.
Perversely, instead of leaving the European Union, they want to stay on the inside to play their veto card against the interests of Europe and EU citizens.
Despite Britain’s many assets, it is no longer in the interest of the European Union to keep the United Kingdom as a member. The grass roots of the Conservative Party are in favour of secession. For once the interests of Europe and anti-European Brits coincide.
An In or Out referendum would settle the matter, at least for a few decades. A more mature Britain could reapply in due time.
***
Reactions
According Times Online (3 October 2009) William Hague, the Conservative shadow secretary for foreign policy, sees Blair as the worst choice for Britain and the European Union.
If the (probable) next UK government does not want Blair, what do active Europeans think?
Just a few examples:
Read the petition and the comments on European Tribune’s Stop Blair!
Read the comments following Jean Quatremer’s blog post on Coulisses de Bruxelles, where the duo Tony Blair and Frank Walter Steinmeier was presented as a done deal.
***
The Swedish Presidency and the European leaders should consider the track records of potential candidates and listen to the opinions before they decide on the new President of the European Council.
It is difficult to see Tony Blair as a good choice for the European Union. As a European he has fallen short of expectations. His country is turning into a disaster for the European Union, if it stays, and the next government is dead set against him. Popular opinion would hardly welcome the choice of Blair.
To the European Council: Arrange open nominations and allow for a free discussion, including media debates, before you act!
Ralf Grahn
Thursday, 1 October 2009
European Council President: Blair in and out in weeks?
Open Europe’s press summary today 1 October 2009 illustrates that political discussions are taking place in Europe with regard to the EU’s Lisbon Treaty. It is not the fault of Open Europe if the reports are contradictory:
In
The Sun quotes British government sources saying that European leaders could nominate Tony Blair as the President of the European Council within weeks, if Ireland votes Yes to the Lisbon Treaty tomorrow.
Out
Read on and Open Europe’s press summary mentions The Times telling us that France and Germany unite to push Britain to EU sidelines. Franco-German backing for Tony Blair as President of the European Council is reported as a casualty of the deal.
***
“Pushing Britain to the sidelines” sounds a tad dramatic, given the country’s track record in European integration and the repeated announcements and actions by the leadership of the UK Conservative Party, David Cameron and William Hague, predicted to form the next government.
The Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende would probably be greeted more favourably than Tony Blair by large sections of EU citizens.
This is getting interesting.
Ralf Grahn
In
The Sun quotes British government sources saying that European leaders could nominate Tony Blair as the President of the European Council within weeks, if Ireland votes Yes to the Lisbon Treaty tomorrow.
Out
Read on and Open Europe’s press summary mentions The Times telling us that France and Germany unite to push Britain to EU sidelines. Franco-German backing for Tony Blair as President of the European Council is reported as a casualty of the deal.
***
“Pushing Britain to the sidelines” sounds a tad dramatic, given the country’s track record in European integration and the repeated announcements and actions by the leadership of the UK Conservative Party, David Cameron and William Hague, predicted to form the next government.
The Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende would probably be greeted more favourably than Tony Blair by large sections of EU citizens.
This is getting interesting.
Ralf Grahn
Friday, 17 July 2009
“EU President” Tony Blair?
Despite Charlemagne’s notebook, the UK government has done European public debate a service by backing Tony Blair for the post of President of the European Council.
Julien Frisch and The European Citizen are among the many who have contributed actively.
***
European credentials
What has Tony Blair’s done for the evolving core areas of EU action?
1) A European Union speaking with one voice in the world. Moves to achieve a coherent and consistent European common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and common security and defence policy (CSDP), away from solo flying by individual member states (including the UN Security Council, international orgnisations and relations with the USA). A proven commitment to a common European defence, in alliance with NATO, but not subservient to the United States.
2) The Schengen agreement abolishing border controls between the member states.
3) Adoption or at least the clear commitment to adopt the common currency (euro).
4) Justice and home affairs: Full participation in the area of freedom, security and justice.
5) The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
6) Driving force or brake during the treaty reform process of the European Union since the December 2000 European Council in Nice?
***
European vision
Even if the Lisbon Treaty enters into force, the pre-democratic European Union will continue to be a “hobbled giant”. Effective action and democratic legitimacy require profound reform, leading to a union based on its citizens.
***
Election procedure
Deals behind closed doors are possible only if the members of the European Council feel that EU citizens are not alienated enough from their project.
The British government has promoted an open debate. It is time for the Swedish Council Presidency to set the ground rules for open nominations and public debate on the top posts and between the candidates.
Ralf Grahn
Julien Frisch and The European Citizen are among the many who have contributed actively.
***
European credentials
What has Tony Blair’s done for the evolving core areas of EU action?
1) A European Union speaking with one voice in the world. Moves to achieve a coherent and consistent European common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and common security and defence policy (CSDP), away from solo flying by individual member states (including the UN Security Council, international orgnisations and relations with the USA). A proven commitment to a common European defence, in alliance with NATO, but not subservient to the United States.
2) The Schengen agreement abolishing border controls between the member states.
3) Adoption or at least the clear commitment to adopt the common currency (euro).
4) Justice and home affairs: Full participation in the area of freedom, security and justice.
5) The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
6) Driving force or brake during the treaty reform process of the European Union since the December 2000 European Council in Nice?
***
European vision
Even if the Lisbon Treaty enters into force, the pre-democratic European Union will continue to be a “hobbled giant”. Effective action and democratic legitimacy require profound reform, leading to a union based on its citizens.
***
Election procedure
Deals behind closed doors are possible only if the members of the European Council feel that EU citizens are not alienated enough from their project.
The British government has promoted an open debate. It is time for the Swedish Council Presidency to set the ground rules for open nominations and public debate on the top posts and between the candidates.
Ralf Grahn
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
UK towards EU fringes and beyond?
Tony Blair promised to place Britain at the heart of Europe, and failed. Gordon Brown resisted the adoption of the Euro currency and he has been a grumpy European all along, although he misleadingly calls it staying in the mainstream of Europe. David Cameron wants to put European integration in reverse.
With only pockets of resistance among elites, the media and the public, the United Kingdom is on a trajectory towards the fringes of European politics, possibly outside.
Consternation mingled with sadness is the main feeling of Europeans, who watch Britain losing friends and influence. A constructive UK would be a major asset for the European Union, but it does not seem to be on the cards.
In the end, democratic societies end up with the leaders and the outcomes they deserve. What we don’t know is if this is the beginning of the end, or the end of the beginning, for the United Kingdom in the European Union.
British and expat voters in Britain can support a better future by casting their votes for the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party or the Labour Party in the European elections 4 June 2009.
Ralf Grahn
With only pockets of resistance among elites, the media and the public, the United Kingdom is on a trajectory towards the fringes of European politics, possibly outside.
Consternation mingled with sadness is the main feeling of Europeans, who watch Britain losing friends and influence. A constructive UK would be a major asset for the European Union, but it does not seem to be on the cards.
In the end, democratic societies end up with the leaders and the outcomes they deserve. What we don’t know is if this is the beginning of the end, or the end of the beginning, for the United Kingdom in the European Union.
British and expat voters in Britain can support a better future by casting their votes for the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party or the Labour Party in the European elections 4 June 2009.
Ralf Grahn
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Tony Blair new ”EU President”?
Because the Independent has relaunched Tony Blair’s candidacy for the post of President of the European Council, Re:Europa discusses the Properties of a President and concludes that a British President (Tony Blair) is out of the question, if Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy are serious about regulating financial markets.
There is more discussion on the Independent’s campaign on the European Tribune.
***
Principled approach
In my view, three aspects need to be discussed before we turn to Tony Blair or any other candidate for the new post.
President of what?
The Treaty of Lisbon, if it enters into force, does not create a “President of the EU”. It does create the job of a President of the European Council, for someone to chair four annual meetings and to facilitate progress in between. International representative duties are not to be conducted at the expense of the High Representative.
Despite the limitations, the post is too important to be left solely to our national leaders.
Track record
When electing the person, thought should be given to the contribution by the country of origin and the personal role of the candidate.
The evolving core areas of EU action are crucial.
1) A European Union speaking with one voice in the world. Moves to achieve a coherent and consistent European common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and common security and defence policy (CSDP), away from solo flying by individual member states (including the UN Security Council, international orgnisations and relations with the USA). A proven commitment to a common European defence, in alliance with NATO.
2) The Schengen agreement abolishing border controls between the member states.
3) Adoption or at least the clear commitment to adopt the common currency (euro).
4) Justice and home affairs: Full participation in the area of freedom, security and justice.
5) The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
6) Institutional reform: A driving force during the European Convention, the intergovernmental conference leading to the 2004 Constitutional Treaty and the IGC 2007 leading to the Treaty of Lisbon.
Future reform
Even if the Lisbon Treaty enters into force, the European Union will continue to be a “hobbled giant”. Effective action and democratic legitimacy require further institutional reform.
The candidates have to prove not only their credentials, but their visions to the EU citizens they are willing to serve.
Election procedure
The European Council needs to arrange the election procedures in an open and transparent manner, inviting public discussion and campaigning.
Deals behind closed doors are possible only if the members of the European Council feel that EU citizens are not alienated enough from their project.
Candidate Blair
I invite readers to analyse the past actions of the United Kingdom and its long serving prime minister Tony Blair.
Ralf Grahn
P.S. Ponder criteria and candidates from an EU perspective. It is unfair to blame Blair for not achieving lasting peace in the Middle East, when the God of three religions has failed.
There is more discussion on the Independent’s campaign on the European Tribune.
***
Principled approach
In my view, three aspects need to be discussed before we turn to Tony Blair or any other candidate for the new post.
President of what?
The Treaty of Lisbon, if it enters into force, does not create a “President of the EU”. It does create the job of a President of the European Council, for someone to chair four annual meetings and to facilitate progress in between. International representative duties are not to be conducted at the expense of the High Representative.
Despite the limitations, the post is too important to be left solely to our national leaders.
Track record
When electing the person, thought should be given to the contribution by the country of origin and the personal role of the candidate.
The evolving core areas of EU action are crucial.
1) A European Union speaking with one voice in the world. Moves to achieve a coherent and consistent European common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and common security and defence policy (CSDP), away from solo flying by individual member states (including the UN Security Council, international orgnisations and relations with the USA). A proven commitment to a common European defence, in alliance with NATO.
2) The Schengen agreement abolishing border controls between the member states.
3) Adoption or at least the clear commitment to adopt the common currency (euro).
4) Justice and home affairs: Full participation in the area of freedom, security and justice.
5) The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
6) Institutional reform: A driving force during the European Convention, the intergovernmental conference leading to the 2004 Constitutional Treaty and the IGC 2007 leading to the Treaty of Lisbon.
Future reform
Even if the Lisbon Treaty enters into force, the European Union will continue to be a “hobbled giant”. Effective action and democratic legitimacy require further institutional reform.
The candidates have to prove not only their credentials, but their visions to the EU citizens they are willing to serve.
Election procedure
The European Council needs to arrange the election procedures in an open and transparent manner, inviting public discussion and campaigning.
Deals behind closed doors are possible only if the members of the European Council feel that EU citizens are not alienated enough from their project.
Candidate Blair
I invite readers to analyse the past actions of the United Kingdom and its long serving prime minister Tony Blair.
Ralf Grahn
P.S. Ponder criteria and candidates from an EU perspective. It is unfair to blame Blair for not achieving lasting peace in the Middle East, when the God of three religions has failed.
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
EU citizens and leaders: Democratic choice?
The European Union is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, principles which are common to the Member States; Article 6(1) TEU. These principles are supposed to guide the Union’s internal as well as its external action.
Let us take a look at democracy, when the Treaty of Lisbon is about to create two important posts: the President of the European Council and the High Representative/Vice-President. How are the holders of these public offices going to reflect the choices of the citizens of the European Union?
***
First, we take a look at the procedural basics under the amended Treaty on European Union (TEU).
Here is what the Lisbon Treaty says about the President (OJ 17.12.2007 C 306). According to Article 9b(5) TEU: The European Council shall elect its President, by a qualified majority, for a term of two and a half years, renewable once.
Then, we recall what the Reform Treaty has to say about the High Representative. Article 9e(1) TEU states: The European Council, acting by a qualified majority, with the agreement of the President of the Commission, shall appoint the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The European Council may end his term of office by the same procedure.
Finally, we are reminded that the High Representative is also going to be one of the Vice-Presidents of the European Commission. Pursuant to Article 9d(7) TEU, third subparagraph, the President, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the other members of the Commission shall be subject as a body to a vote of consent by the European Parliament. On the basis of this consent the Commission shall be appointed by the European Council, acting by a qualified majority.
***
If the essence of representative democracy is the power of the people to elect and to change their leaders, the Treaty of Lisbon does not reach that standard.
So much for those who think that there is no further need for institutional EU reform.
***
In the meantime, there are different shades of grey. Democratic practice can evolve, even without a written Constitution.
The Lisbon Treaty already admits that the election results should influence the choice of Commission President, and it gives the European Parliament a say. Article 9d(7) TEU states: Taking into account the elections to the European Parliament and after having held the appropriate consultations, the European Council, acting by a qualified majority, shall propose to the European Parliament a candidate for President of the Commission. This candidate shall be elected by the European Parliament by a majority of its component members.
***
The President of the European Council and the High Representative/Vice-President are as important to the citizens of the Union as the President of the Commission.
Instead of following in the footsteps of Vatican Conclaves, which leave the public waiting for white smoke after the fact, the European Council could, within the established rules, do something real to re-engage at least some of the citizens it undeniably has alienated, both during the treaty negotiations and after the signing of the Reform Treaty.
Let there be open nominations as well as public hearings and campaigns for these offices. This would lead to a real European debate on common issues.
Peter Sain ley Berry said, quite correctly: For Europe’s President to emerge from some closed European Council meeting without any prior attempt to test the democratic will and without any requirement for the candidates to lay their credentials before the European public will be wrong, short-sighted, bad government and a disgrace.
***
President Nicolas Sarkozy, who will preside over the European Council later this year, has understood the power of political initiative. Some of his ideas seem half-baked, some are outright disastrous and part of them can be brilliant, but he is constantly on the move.
This week, Sarkozy more or less launched Tony Blair as a candidate for the office of President of the European Council. Initial reactions, especially in Great Britain, seemed to come from ingrained sympathies or antipathies concerning Blair as a person.
Few paused to think about the wider picture.
With one candidate (almost) in the open, could Sarkozy have stumbled on a winning formula, beyond the choice of persons. It would not take much to make the choice of leaders a European public affair.
Open nominations, televised debates and public discussion could bring Europe a step closer to a democracy worthy of the schoolmaster for the rest of the world.
Ralf Grahn
See:
Peter Sain ley Berry: Let EU citizens choose their president too; EUobserver 11.01.2008;
http://euobserver.com/7/25428
Let us take a look at democracy, when the Treaty of Lisbon is about to create two important posts: the President of the European Council and the High Representative/Vice-President. How are the holders of these public offices going to reflect the choices of the citizens of the European Union?
***
First, we take a look at the procedural basics under the amended Treaty on European Union (TEU).
Here is what the Lisbon Treaty says about the President (OJ 17.12.2007 C 306). According to Article 9b(5) TEU: The European Council shall elect its President, by a qualified majority, for a term of two and a half years, renewable once.
Then, we recall what the Reform Treaty has to say about the High Representative. Article 9e(1) TEU states: The European Council, acting by a qualified majority, with the agreement of the President of the Commission, shall appoint the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The European Council may end his term of office by the same procedure.
Finally, we are reminded that the High Representative is also going to be one of the Vice-Presidents of the European Commission. Pursuant to Article 9d(7) TEU, third subparagraph, the President, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the other members of the Commission shall be subject as a body to a vote of consent by the European Parliament. On the basis of this consent the Commission shall be appointed by the European Council, acting by a qualified majority.
***
If the essence of representative democracy is the power of the people to elect and to change their leaders, the Treaty of Lisbon does not reach that standard.
So much for those who think that there is no further need for institutional EU reform.
***
In the meantime, there are different shades of grey. Democratic practice can evolve, even without a written Constitution.
The Lisbon Treaty already admits that the election results should influence the choice of Commission President, and it gives the European Parliament a say. Article 9d(7) TEU states: Taking into account the elections to the European Parliament and after having held the appropriate consultations, the European Council, acting by a qualified majority, shall propose to the European Parliament a candidate for President of the Commission. This candidate shall be elected by the European Parliament by a majority of its component members.
***
The President of the European Council and the High Representative/Vice-President are as important to the citizens of the Union as the President of the Commission.
Instead of following in the footsteps of Vatican Conclaves, which leave the public waiting for white smoke after the fact, the European Council could, within the established rules, do something real to re-engage at least some of the citizens it undeniably has alienated, both during the treaty negotiations and after the signing of the Reform Treaty.
Let there be open nominations as well as public hearings and campaigns for these offices. This would lead to a real European debate on common issues.
Peter Sain ley Berry said, quite correctly: For Europe’s President to emerge from some closed European Council meeting without any prior attempt to test the democratic will and without any requirement for the candidates to lay their credentials before the European public will be wrong, short-sighted, bad government and a disgrace.
***
President Nicolas Sarkozy, who will preside over the European Council later this year, has understood the power of political initiative. Some of his ideas seem half-baked, some are outright disastrous and part of them can be brilliant, but he is constantly on the move.
This week, Sarkozy more or less launched Tony Blair as a candidate for the office of President of the European Council. Initial reactions, especially in Great Britain, seemed to come from ingrained sympathies or antipathies concerning Blair as a person.
Few paused to think about the wider picture.
With one candidate (almost) in the open, could Sarkozy have stumbled on a winning formula, beyond the choice of persons. It would not take much to make the choice of leaders a European public affair.
Open nominations, televised debates and public discussion could bring Europe a step closer to a democracy worthy of the schoolmaster for the rest of the world.
Ralf Grahn
See:
Peter Sain ley Berry: Let EU citizens choose their president too; EUobserver 11.01.2008;
http://euobserver.com/7/25428
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