Cowen backs Bruton bid for EU job



Thursday, 29 October 2009 18:08
Taoiseach Brian Cowen says he supports the surprise candidacy of John Bruton for the position of President of the European Council.

But Mr Cowen has been criticised by Enda Kenny for his earlier support for Tony Blair, whose candidacy is attracting increasing opposition.

Tonight's EU summit in Brussels will not make the appointment, as the Czech President has still not signed the Lisbon Treaty - which creates the new job.


A few weeks ago the Government was warning about being excluded from the heart of Europe, but today it was all smiles and congratulations after the Lisbon Treaty referendum win.

Not only do the Irish appear to be back in Brussels, they seem to fancy their chances for one of the big jobs created by the Lisbon Treaty.

Former Taoiseach John Bruton, who is current EU ambassador to Washington, was one of the architects of the latest EU treaty, and has previously been president of the council.

But he is up against the Former British Prime Minister's increasingly controversial candidacy, which is being backed at the summit by Gordon Brown.

Fianna Fail is now in the Liberal Democrat movement, and the Taoiseach is committed to backing one of its candidates for one of the two top jobs to be filled.

But he did offer support to Mr Bruton's bid.

Officially there will be no talk about names tonight, as the Czechs have still not fully ratified the treaty - they hope to sort that issue out tonight.

But the Czechs will not sign until next week at the earliest, so there will probably be a special summit next month to make the appointments.

In the meantime the corridor politics are in full swing, with the Swedish presidency tasked with finding out which potential candidates have support among the 27 governments, and who should quietly withdraw.

RTE

Interesting.....very interesting timing....

Not gonna happen, expect to see Blair as the first EU President. He seems to have the support of the three largest members of the EU. :D

John Bruton will put up up a stiff challenge to anyone. Not that I like the man myself but I would not be at all supprised if he gets the job. He has been around the EU circuit and they know him very well. It might not seem so now but this is a big spanner in the works for Blair - equivalent if Bertie Ahern had have gone up 2 or 3 years ago.


Also think about it - Lisbon treaty passed and Bruton just happens to be ending his role as EU Washington ambassador....hmmmm

It might not seem so now but this is a big spanner in the works for Blair

I doubt that TBH

The favourites are Blair and the former Luxembourg PM.

Put it this way - im tellin yeh now - I will be putting a bet on tomorrow and it won't be on Blair! The ex Luxembourg PM would be a good bet. I don't think Blair will get this for some reason.

If the role is catered to Blair's ambition then he'll take it. He doesn't want some shitty role.

I'm pretty certain he'll get it, if he accepts it.

Cowen strengthens support for Bruton candidacy

ARTHUR BEESLEY and JAMIE SMYTH


THE GOVERNMENT last night strengthened its support for John Bruton’s campaign for the presidency of the European Council, but strongly criticised an attack on its stance by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.

The battle for the position intensified at the opening of a two-day summit at which EU leaders struck a deal last night to ensure Czech ratification for the Lisbon Treaty.

Their agreement on an opt-out for the Czechs from the Charter of Fundamental Rights prompted cheers and applause over dinner and should ensure the treaty comes into force after years of negotiation.

Although the Czech constitutional court will not rule until Tuesday on a new legal challenge to the treaty, European Commission president José Manuel Barroso late last night said the treaty will swiftly come into force. “I am confident that we will have a Lisbon Treaty very, very soon,” he said, adding that the process was akin to a marathon with hurdles.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has been supporting former British prime minister Tony Blair for the presidency of the European Council. But Mr Blair’s campaign encountered opposition yesterday from the party of European Socialists, his own political family.

Mr Cowen at first offered only tepid support for Mr Bruton. While welcoming his entry into the race, Mr Cowen said the Government would support his campaign if he received enough backing elsewhere in the EU.

But Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin went further last night, stating in unqualified terms that Mr Cowen will put forward Mr Bruton’s name to his EU colleagues.

Mr Cowen’s initial remarks prompted Mr Kenny to say the Taoiseach should “get off the British horse and back an Irish candidate”.

Stating that the Taoiseach should not wait to offer his support for Mr Blair, Mr Kenny said Mr Bruton had impeccable credentials for the post. “He didn’t wait to see if Tony Blair had support. He was out of the traps early on that,” said the Fine Gael leader. Mr Kenny, who had been urging the Government to select Mr Bruton as Ireland’s new EU commissioner, said Mr Bruton told him personally of his candidacy for the council presidency last week. This was before Mr Cowen learned of the campaign from Ireland’s Ambassador to Washington. Mr Bruton, who is finishing a five-year term as EU ambassador to the US, put forward his own name in letters last Friday to each EU country’s ambassador to the US.

Mr Martin questioned the tone of Mr Kenny’s response, stating Mr Blair had been a good friend to Ireland and had played a pivotal part in the Northern Ireland peace process. “We need a mature response from Enda Kenny from that. We want substance, not soundbites.”

Asked whether Mr Kenny was correct to say that he jumped too quickly in his support for Mr Blair, the Taoiseach said it was important not to take a partisan view. “I’m here to indicate . . . as I did in the immediate aftermath of the referendum, Tony Blair is held in high esteem in Ireland and there could well be a number of candidates emerging.

“But as an Irish person and head of the Irish Government obviously I would welcome if John Bruton could be there and get the post if that’s possible, and certainly if he’s there with a great chance he won’t be found wanting with support from us.”

Meanwhile, Mr Blair’s prospects of becoming president receded.

Spain’s prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero said the socialists aspired to the post of high representative – the second most powerful post – rather than the presidency.

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times


Oh dear.

So Brian Cowen of all people can go to his counterparts and basically say I won you a crucial referendum and here is the candidate you all really know.

^^

Not really as easy as that. The EU want someone that can pursue and futher their diplomatic and political power to match their economic power.

We shall have to see what happens :)

fuck blair.

^^

Not really as easy as that. The EU want someone that can pursue and futher their diplomatic and political power to match their economic power.




And a candidate from any country cannot do that? It would be fantastic for Ireland to be first and this candidacy will be backed IMO and should be by everyone on this island. We may disagree politically but for Ireland it would serve us well to get in there first - and I hope he succeeds.

I hope Bruton gets it aswell!

I hope Bruton gets it aswell!

"Brutal" - it's "Brutal" ;)

And a candidate from any country cannot do that? It would be fantastic for Ireland to be first and this candidacy will be backed IMO and should be by everyone on this island. We may disagree politically but for Ireland it would serve us well to get in there first - and I hope he succeeds.

No, because not all have the international profile or ability to open doors. As much as Blair is disliked in the UK, he has that power.


It's about influence, he has buckets of it. I would love to see an Irish President, but I don't see it happening tbh

No, because not all have the international profile or ability to open doors. As much as Blair is disliked in the UK, he has that power.


It's about influence, he has buckets of it. I would love to see an Irish President, but I don't see it happening tbh

It's not happening for Blair anyway :banana:

No, because not all have the international profile or ability to open doors. As much as Blair is disliked in the UK, he has that power.


It's about influence, he has buckets of it. I would love to see an Irish President, but I don't see it happening tbh


Eh, John Cox? He was Irish - they had no problem with him for commission president. Bertie Ahern has bucket loads of influence - he never got that far of course. But he is from Ireland. And John Bruton is EU Ambassador to the US so I fail to see your point. Obviously they see something in him and he has done a good job otherwise he would not have finished the term. And on evidence of thoughts on his role they seem very happy. Borroso is from Portugal ffs.


There are many people in political life who have come out of this country that can lead and command respect of countries 20 and more times bigger. Size has nothing to do with it. The best person will be chosen.

But like you say - we will see.

Not gonna happen, expect to see Blair as the first EU President. He seems to have the support of the three largest members of the EU. :D

Hey hey hey, this is not how its supposed to work, post-lisbon anyway, the little guys have a say too ;)

The Irish will be running Europe SOON! The Brits think they will get it but they won't ;) (Ah the joys of passing a referendum at the right time)

Would have preferred to see an elected president tbh.

Up late studying aswell odlum? :D

Would have preferred to see an elected president tbh.

Up late studying aswell odlum? :D

You 'kinda' did when you voted to approve the Treaty.

No problem with a president of the EU, thats grand, but I guess if the position is to evolve into something of power, then its appointment should be revisited. Lisbon isnt the final draft of the EU, it only helps it along and gives us more tools... so we can try petition this change if need be :D

we're all nocturnal I guess

I've a flu, been feeling shit all day. My room is like 30c yet I'm freezing FFS.

Hehheh, ah shit one. Have a lemsip.