Thread: 'President' Blair waits on voters of Ireland

Originally Posted by Bouillabaisse

Originally Posted by Track_Link

Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer..

I think I might get that put on a t shirt with Blair's picture

Where do I buy it?

Classic,just classic

Originally Posted by tropper66

Classic,just classic

And at the same time very deeply disturbing!

Originally Posted by Track_Link

Originally Posted by tropper66

Classic,just classic

And at the same time very deeply disturbing!

Very Very disturbing thats democracy knackered then. With a general election looming I bet TB will grace our shores on a fact finding tour dragging the Mrs as she plays the pikey after the freebies.

Originally Posted by Markintime

Now that I like, Markintime. If you maybe could just correct the spelling of F-Ü-H-R-E-R, it'd be optimal.

The word "fürher" is very old and went the way of "fürwahr" and "ward" a long time ago. It was replaced by expressions such as: "bis anhin" or "bislang".

MsG

Originally Posted by Bugsy

Originally Posted by Markintime

Now that I like, Markintime. If you maybe could just correct the spelling of F-Ü-H-R-E-R, it'd be optimal.

The word "fürher" is very old and went the way of "fürwahr" and "ward" a long time ago. It was replaced by expressions such as: "bis anhin" or "bislang".

MsG

What about plain and simple Künt? If the cap fits (and it does on ole TB!)

I think it will go to Jan Peter Balkenende.
Blair might get the foreign air miles job.

The Grinning One as President of the EUSSR?

Now I've another reason to vote No this evening.

Originally Posted by Alsacien

I think it will go to Jan Peter Balkenende.
Blair might get the foreign air miles job.

Doesn't matter really, non of us get a say do we? :D

At the risk of turning this into a sensible discussion, these are the possibles:

Tony Blair:
Former British Prime Minister (1997-2007)
Middle East peace envoy on behalf of UN, EU, US & Russia
Labour
+
Most charismatic among the candidates
Most popular throughout Europe
-
Too close to Washington
Supported US-led war in Iraq
His country is outside the euro zone and Schengen

Jean-Claude Juncker:
Prime Minister (since 1995) and Finance Minister (since 1989) of Luxembourg
President of the Eurogroup
Christian Democrat
+
Extremely experienced
Knows the EU dossiers better than anyone
-
Not very popular outside his small country
Too federalist

Bertie Ahern:
Former Irish Prime Minister (1997-200
Centrist
+
Experienced
Mild-mannered
Charismatic
-
Accused of financial wrongdoing

Wolfgang Schüssel:
Former Austrian Chancellor (2000-2007)
Christian Democrat
+
Experienced
Has the backing of Germany
-
Not very popular outside Austria
Featured in coalition with extreme right Freedom

Angela Merkel:
Chancellor of Germany (since 2005)
Christian Democrat
+
Extremely popular
Considered the most influential leader in Europe
Last but not least, a woman
-
Does not seem to have any intention of stepping down as chancellor

Guy Verhofstadt:
Former Prime Minister of Belgium (1999-200
Centrist
+
Experienced
The most visionary of the candidates
-
Too federalist

Felipe González:
Former Prime Minister of Spain (1982-1996)
Socialist
+
Seen as the symbol of Spain's successful EU accession in 1986
Already obtained EU leaders confidence when appointed chairman of the Reflection Group on the Future of Europe
-
Risk of 'Iberian overload' with José Manuel Barroso,a Portuguese, re-elected as Commission president for the next five years
González's role in Spain's counter-terrorism actions against ETA in the 1980s

Paavo Lipponen:
Former Finnish Prime Minister (1995-2003)
Social Democrat
+
Fits both 'geographical' and 'political affiliation' criteria to counter Barroso
-
Has been working since August 2008 as a consultant for Gazprom on Nord Stream project;
Poland has already objected to his potential candidacy

Carl Bildt:
Swedish Foreign Minister (since 2006)
Former Prime Minister of Sweden (1991-1994)
Centre-right
+
Experienced
Extraordinary record in crisis management
-
Seen by France as favourable towards Turkey's EU accession
Also seen as possible High Representative for Foreign Affairs, a less senior post

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen:
President of the Party of European Socialists
Former Danish Prime Minister (1993-2001)
Social Democrat
+
Seen as a champion of full employment during the last European election campaign
-
Lost national elections to another Rasmussen, Anders Fogh, who has since become NATO secretary-general
Actively campaigned against Barroso, with whom he would need to work in tandem if elected

Herman van Rompuy:
Prime Minister of Belgium (since 200
Christian Democrat
+
His Belgian experience shows he is a good troubleshooter
-
Not a very good communicator
Little international prominence

Jan Peter Balkenende:
Prime Minister of the Netherlands (since 2002)
EPP
+
Long-serving prime minister
His party CDA is still popular after many years in power
-
EPP affiliation is not suitable as a counterbalance to Barroso
Balkenende is seen as being from the pro-Iraq war camp
The Netherlands is isolated on issues like unblocking Serbia's EU association agreement, just one example of its 'tough' line on EU policies

Mary Robinson:
Former President of Ireland (1990-1997)
Former UN Commissioner for Human Rights (1997-2002)
Independent
+
As a woman with remarkable international experience, she is seen as a strong candidate for the top EU job
-
Ireland is responsible for significantly delaying the Lisbon Treaty's entry into force, so an Irish EU president may not be considered a wise choice

Tarja Halonen:
President of Finland (since 2000)
Social Democrat
+
As a woman from a northern country and from the centre-left, she is seen as a good counterbalance to Barroso
-
She is seen as a pacifist and openly opposes NATO, while most EU countries are NATO members

Margot Wallström:
Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for institutional relations and communication policy
Former Swedish Minister for Culture, Social Affairs and Youth
Social Democrat
+
A woman from a northern country and from the centre-left, she is seen as a good counterbalance to Barroso
-
Has already served under Barroso and did not give the impression of working well in tandem with him

Originally Posted by gallowglass

The Grinning One as President of the EUSSR?

Now I've another reason to vote No this evening.

Good man!

Originally Posted by jagman

Originally Posted by Alsacien

I think it will go to Jan Peter Balkenende.
Blair might get the foreign air miles job.

Doesn't matter really, non of us get a say do we? :D

Well with the notable exception of the UK - other countries voted for their leader, and the leaders will choose what is effectively just their spokesman.

Although he's a non-runner, he'd be absolutely, magnificently marvellous in the role of First President of the EU: Tony Benn! A man who'd utterly define the role.

MsG

Originally Posted by Bugsy

Although he's a non-runner, he'd be absolutely, magnificently marvellous in the role of First President of the EU: Tony Benn! A man who'd utterly define the role.

MsG

as an old-fashioned, honest to God aristocratic champagne socialist. You're right -- that would sum it up entirely.