Blair unfit to run EU, say French political veterans

Source: Indenendent UK

Two of France's senior statesmen have launched an ABB movement – "Anyone But Blair" – in an attempt to prevent the former prime minister becoming the first president of the European Union next year.

Although much of the support for Mr Blair comes from President Nicolas Sarkozy, the former French president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing and the former prime minister Edouard Balladur, who is M. Sarkozy's mentor and friend, have declared Mr Blair to be unfit for the job.

Both men say Europe's first president must come from a country which is fully committed to all EU policies, including the euro. Mr Balladur – breaking publicly with President Sarkozy – also says Mr Blair is too close to the United States to be chosen as a "fitting spokesman for Europe". Their views are echoed, off the record, by senior officials in Belgium and Italy. But Mr Blair is said to have some support in eastern Europe, Germany and Spain. Whether Mr Blair actually wants the job remains unclear.

A semi-permanent European president, or president of the European Council, will be chosen by the 27 member governments this year. At present, EU business is organised, and ministerial and summit meetings chaired, by a different government every six months.

Read more: http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article3347996.ece

Lemme ask my French friends what they think of this.

And doubtless to the left of Blair.

They should ask Bill Clinton.

:bounce: :popcorn:

But can European politicos handle the truth?