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The EU President: Stumbling into the Post-Lisbon Era
BRUSSELS -- The designation last week of two relatively unknown figures for the highest posts in the European Union led to widespread criticism across Europe.
At a heads of state meeting in Brussels on Thursday evening, the 27 member states of the EU designated Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy as president of the European Council, and Britain's EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton as high representative for common foreign and security policy (HR).
Van Rompuy is credited with putting an end to a lengthy political crisis between Belgium's francophone and Flemish communities that virtually left the country without a government for the second half of 2007. (…) He [ Van Rompuy ] is not the kind of person who seeks, or attracts, the attention of the media and political pundits.
Ashton, another figure whom few have heard of, has never held a senior government post and has little experience in foreign affairs. She countered these criticisms at the press conference following her designation by emphasizing her key role in concluding the EU's free-trade agreement with South Korea -- its most ambitious to date -- and in settling a bilateral trade dispute with the U.S. concerning beef from cattle raised with growth hormones.
The pair's nomination prompted widespread criticism among the European media. Europhiles see the choice as a historic missed opportunity. (…) For them, the appointment of Van Rompuy and Ashton reflects a lack of commitment on the part of European leaders to such an enhanced role for the Union.
The decision, however, appears to be in tune with the designs of the three main players in the European arena: the U.K., France and Germany.
Van Rompuy's candidacy was supported by the Franco-German alliance, while Ashton was Britain's pick. The Belgian, who is both a French and German speaker, emerged a few weeks ago as the compromise choice for Paris and Berlin. Both governments seemed prepared to concede the posts of the HR and the Council presidency in exchange for other key positions.
The French have already obtained the crucial post of secretary-general of the Council, charged with the organization of the Council's agenda. Paris is now aiming for the presidency of the Eurogroup -- given official status by Lisbon -- whose functions include establishing the outlines for the meetings of the financial ministers of the Eurozone.
Berlin, on the other hand, aspires to the presidency of the European Central Bank -- arguably the most powerful position among the European institutions, since it controls the monetary policy of the euro.
(…) With Ashton's nomination, Britain achieved its objective of establishing a solid influence on the EU's foreign policy. In Brussels, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's support of Tony Blair for the Council presidency position was seen by some as a tactical maneuver, meant to gain bargaining power for attaining the HR post, widely considered to be London's real goal.
The designation of Van Rompuy and Ashton thereby served the interests of the major countries, while reassuring the governments of small and medium-sized states, who worried about their ability to keep high-profile figures in the posts from trampling on their rights.
However, some argue that the selection of such lightweight figures could have a detrimental impact on the EU's long-term interests, ultimately damaging its position in the world.
(…) Although compelling at first glance, such an assertion overlooks the fact that neither the president nor the HR will have any real power over decision-making processes occurring at the national level. True, having a political heavyweight such as Blair as president could have turned him into the "face" of the EU in the world. However, he would have been a mere spokesperson for 27 member states who often disagree, particularly over foreign policy issues. Furthermore, having strong political figures in the EU's foremost posts would likely have led to clashes with the governments of the member states, a situation that could have jeopardized the entire Lisbon process. (…)
The fact that he [Van Rompuy] is backed by Paris and Berlin suggests the possibility -- feared by the U.K. -- of tighter political collaboration between France and Germany. That may be the reason London held out so stubbornly for the HR post -- in order to keep a close eye on the process.
