NationStates Jolt Archive

Who should be the first president of the European Union when the post is selected next year?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7371840.stm

To briefly outline the choices:

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44613000/jpg/_44613505_foghrasmussenafp_226b.jpg
ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN, Danish PM. Popular and pro-European. However, Denmark has opted out of several EU policies, including the single currency.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44608000/jpg/_44608052_bertieahernpa_226b.jpg
BERTIE AHERN, departing Irish PM. Northern Ireland peace maker, seen as deal breaker, well regarded. However, leaving office under cloud of suspicion regarding corruption.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44608000/jpg/_44608189_junckerap_226b.jpg
JEAN-CLAUDE JUNCKER, Luxembourg PM. Strongly Pro-European. But not exactly from a country known for its international clout.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44613000/jpg/_44613248_kwasniewskiafp_226b.jpg
ALEKSANDER KWASNIEWSKI, former Polish PM. Left wing, only potential candidate from new states. But seen by some as spent force.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44613000/jpg/_44613534_wolfgangschuesselapap_226.jpg
WOLFGANG SCHUESSEL, parliamentary leader of Austian People's Party. May attract support if German Merkel doesn't want job. But known for going into government with fascists.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44614000/jpg/_44614557_angelamerkelafp_226b.jpg
ANGELA MERKEL, German Chancellor. Popular, powerful; the job is probably hers if she wanted it. But she probably doesn't.

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TONY BLAIR, former British PM. The most recognised internationally of the candidates, could give the presidency a 'face'. But has many critics as a result of his time in office.

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FELIPE GONZALEZ, former Spanish PM. Socialist, likely to get support of Spanish government if he decided to stand.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44614000/jpg/_44614974_verhofstadtafp.jpg
GUY VERHOFSTADT, former Belgium PM. Rank outsider.

They have no proper power right? Hard to care.

Hurry up and make the EU one big country already.

They have no proper power right? Hard to care.
Actually, they haven't defined the role yet. Most of the people above wouldn't run if they were just a powerless figurehead.

Hurry up and make the EU one big country already.
Unlikely to happen for a very long time, if at all.

Teflon Taoiseach! Teflon Taoiseach!

Please not Blair.

I think Jean-Claude Juncker would be a good choice because Luxembourg is so small, he would take a more objective view.

I look forward to hearing what Risottia thinks, as I trust his political judgement.

Teflon Taoiseach! Teflon Taoiseach!

I suppose that if he's not corrupt, it would mean a decent man at the top, whilst if he is corrupt, he'll fit right in.

Please not Blair.

I think Jean-Claude Juncker would be a good choice because Luxembourg is so small, he would take a more objective view.

He's a strong federalist. It would be difficult to convince some of the more Euro-sceptic nations to pick him.

I suppose that if he's not corrupt, it would mean a decent man at the top, whilst if he is corrupt, he'll fit right in.

The latter *nods*

Kevin Rudd. Just get him the fuck away from Australia... Let him screw up someone else's economy...

In all seriousness though, it will probably go to the person from the country of the biggest population...

Well, as long as it's not Blair or someone who's likely to force laws into place to keep 'teh ebil m0slems' out, then I'm not hugely bothered.

Do populations get a say in the election at all? or is it just voted for by MEPs?

The latter *nods*

Aye. The only war he'd drag people into is the one for receipts for his expenses.

Aye. The only war he'd drag people into is the one for receipts for his expenses.

The EU will be getting dig outs from good friends, which it will never have to pay back.

Ohh you forgot about Durão Barroso...he's probably thinking about it already...

Wow, from pro-Maoist in the 70's to pro-Europe.... people can change. In the 70's, Barroso was stealing furniture from the University to put on his Maoist party headquarters, beating up rival parties members (yeah he was nasty) and now...

http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/current/2005/011305/clinton.jpg
George Clinton, Dr. Funkenstein, Leans heavily toward the funkadelic.

The EU will be getting dig outs from good friends, which it will never have to pay back.

Indeed. I forsee an era of great productivity, of wealth, of brown paper bags, of jobs, and the boys to fill them, of 24 hour bar/nightclubs being built in the middle of bird sanctuarys, of gombeens, gobshites, go-boys and gurriers.

Indeed. I forsee an era of great productivity, of wealth, of brown paper bags, of jobs, and the boys to fill them, of 24 hour bar/nightclubs being built in the middle of bird sanctuarys, of gombeens, gobshites, go-boys and gurriers.

The future is bright.

Do populations get a say in the election at all? or is it just voted for by MEPs?

Not sure, actually, although my guess would be no kind of democracy at all. They'll probably be selected by the Council. It's how the EU usually does things.

I'd actually say Blair and not just because that would drive Mr Brown crazy but also because apart from the whole war of terror fiasco (and being batshit insane fundie but that should appease some members) he wasn't that bad

Ron Paul should be the president of the EU.

Ron Paul should be the president of the EU.

Why do you hate Europe so? :(

I'd actually say Blair and not just because that would drive Mr Brown crazy but also because apart from the whole war of terror fiasco (and being batshit insane fundie but that should appease some members) he wasn't that bad

Hmm the 'president of the EU' should be better than just 'not that bad'.

They better elect a less controversial person, Juncker or Merkel.

Ron Paul should be the president of the EU.

I think you will find it is already a Ronbot dream what with all the individual states having an enormous amount of power over their daily (and monthly)affairs

he is surplus to requirement and American

Why do you hate Europe so? :(

but if there is one thing Europe is begging for it is complete deregulation, privatization and the creation of ghettos so we an be just like uncle Sam!

Verhofstadt or Juncker.

Certainly not Merkel... Nor any French person for that matter...

Why do you hate Europe so? :(

Because he will reform Europe, like this:

http://www.hellhappens.com/goya-satan.jpg

Hmm the 'president of the EU' should be better than just 'not that bad'.

They better elect a less controversial person, Juncker or Merkel.

All politicians become controversial eventually. It's just a matter of time.

Hmm the 'president of the EU' should be better than just 'not that bad'.

They better elect a less controversial person, Juncker or Merkel.

People who are not controversial are that way because they rarely go against public opinion. Leaders who do not go against public opinion sometimes do not deserve the title leader because they do not lead they merely follow.



Anyways My pick would be Blair. Though his wife and the astrology stuff worries me.

*Sees Tony Blair`s picture and moans* I thought we got rid of him but no, he`s back. I sincerely hope that he never becomes the leader of anywere anymore, he will destroy the EU.

Barroso, but he's not running. Which is a shame.

I'd actually say Blair and not just because that would drive Mr Brown crazy but also because apart from the whole war of terror fiasco (and being batshit insane fundie but that should appease some members) he wasn't that bad
He crossed the line of 'actually capable any more' in 2002.
Ron Paul should be the president of the EU.
I laugh in your face. And rightly so.

*Sees Tony Blair`s picture and moans* I thought we got rid of him but no, he`s back. I sincerely hope that he never becomes the leader of anywere anymore, he will destroy the EU.

He's been keeping himself quite busy, actually. Making a mint with non-executive directorships.

Who's most likely to dissolve the EU?

Who's most likely to dissolve the EU?

Dilute sulphuric acid.

Dissolves EU (europium)

Who's most likely to dissolve the EU?

Why would that be a good thing?