More like this
Blair wants EU Presidency ‘only if it’s a proper job’
But the word from Paris is the French and Germans are seeking an alternative
The former prime minister Tony Blair is prepared to give up his massive annual earnings - estimated to be somewhere between £6m and £10m - to take on the role of EU President, but only if the job is a substantial one, making the most of his clout on the world stage, according to a report in the Times.
Friends of the former PM have told the paper that he wants to "make a difference" and not just act as the permanent chairman of the EU Council of Ministers, which is all some European leaders expect of him.
Blair will therefore be a "highly interested spectator" when European leaders meet today for a two-day summit in Brussels, the same sources told the paper.
However, though the presidency will be high on the agenda in Brussels, hopes that the Lisbon Treaty could finally be signed off this week were dashed when the Czech Republic - the last country to ratify the treaty - delayed an important decision that is keeping the whole of Europe on tenterhooks.
The Czech constitutional court had been expected to rule this week on whether the treaty violates the country's constitution. But it has adjourned the hearing until November 3.
Most observers still expect the court to find that the treaty does not infringe on the constitution. At which point the Czech president Vaclav Klaus will have no option but to ratify it. But it won't happen this week and Blair and his supporters will have to wait a while.
Blair's only known rival for the job is currently the Luxembourg prime minister, Jean-Claude Juncker, who said this week that though Luxembourg is the EU's second-smallest state after Malta, "I am not a dwarf".
But after a meeting of President Sarkozy and Chancellor Merkel in Paris last night, it was said the two leaders still want to find an alternative to Blair and Juncker. According to the Times, they are looking for a "rare bird" capable of acting as an efficient chairman of the Council of Ministers while at the same time providing the EU's voice to the outside world.
Yes, they want the "motorcade factor" that David Miliband, Blair's number one cheerleader, promised his old mentor could deliver. But they also want a lower-profile, hard-working Brussels operator too.
Observers say Blair cannot lose either way. If he gets the job, he can enjoy the motorcade moments. If he doesn't, then he won't have to give up his lucrative business interests, which include a reported £2.5m annual consultancy with the investment bank JP Morgan, a £2m deal with the finance company Zurich, and regular £100,000 cheques for making speeches - all in return for a mere £250,000 salary from Brussels. ·
Comments are now closed on this article
Comments
Enough of the political lightweights who are currently named as "contenders" for the position of "President" of Europe.
It should be a position of power.
To my mind it should be given to Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany. She alone has a track record of probity amongst the European leaders of any clout. She leads the strongest powerhouse in Europe & can & will give a lead to this collection of political pygmies.
She may indeed insist on the cleansing of the corruption which pervades the EU at every level. The man Kinnock has had all the evidence he needs to blow the whistle on these activities, but the Wesh wind-bag likes his perks too much.
The Auditors have proofs in their hands but no one wants to own up to the travesties which continue year on year. Come on Angela - really make a name for yourself!!
I doubt that jp morgan would drop him for his crimes. I reckon another oleaginous two-faced fundamentalist is hardly noticeable amongst the infestation that is the banking world.
In my opinion the best outcome would be for the Czech Republlic to refuse to ratify the Treaty, so that the position of President would never exist.
The thought of a Federal Europe - controlled by France and Germany - sends shudders down my spine, and whilst Blair would love lording it around the world political stage I doubt if he will be allowed to be anything other than a figurehead.
He and his wife like the money too much, so once reality dawns he (they) may go off the idea, and as the previous commentator points out, he may yet, and should, face a charge for war crimes, and this might put the rest of Europe of him.
It would be very pleasing to see him locked away and it would also be a nice irony as when he was shadow home secretary he used populist rants about law and order to help his career. But I doubt it will happen.
I do hope France and Germany manage to block this lying war criminal. I fail to see why JP Morgan would want to throw £2.5 million away or Zurich £2 million though, how could he possibly benefit them? They'd drop him fast enough if charges are ever laid and he's taken to the Hague.