November 20, 2009 in Nation/World

European Union chooses Belgian as first president

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Van Rompuy
(Full-size photo)

BRUSSELS, Belgium – Champions of European unity hoped their new president would be a continental George Washington, a brand name who could pull the European Union closer together and fulfill their dream of a strengthened role for Europe in world affairs.

But after weeks of back-room haggling and private international telephone conversations, the presidents and prime ministers of the 27 E.U. members on Thursday picked a little-known politician, Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy, as the union’s first permanent president.

The choice of a conciliator, rather than a bold leader, for the new job suggested the European Union was not ready for the dramatic departure advocated by ardent unity advocates, analysts said. As a result, they added, the United States and other E.U. partners should expect little change in their traditional bilateral dealings with national governments despite Van Rompuy’s addition to the vast Euro-bureaucracy in Brussels.

“Europe is not a country,” said Nicolas Veron of the Brussels-based Bruegel institute for European and world economic affairs.

Notwithstanding lyrical talk of European unity and joint action on the world stage, he added, the continent’s elected presidents and prime ministers showed they were not yet prepared to cede significant new powers to an E.U. figurehead or choose an activist likely to vie with national leaders on European policies.

Van Rompuy, 62, a professorial veteran of Belgium’s intricate coalition politics, indicated he would be comfortable in a facilitator’s role when he takes office Jan. 1. “As president of the European Council, I will listen to every country and make sure every country comes out a winner in every negotiation,” he said.

The election of the European Union’s first full-time president, along with the appointment of Britain’s Catherine Ashton as high representative for foreign affairs, was made possible by ratification this month of a treaty strengthening and reorganizing the political and trade bloc.

Two comments on this story so far. Add yours!

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  Suke on November 20 at 2:38 a.m.

  This event plays a vital role in the arrival of the Anti-Christ. The Bible describles the world as having one world leader in the final years and we are clearly on our way. 30 years ago, it would have seemed improbable that we would have one world leader, but it now seems as though it is the goal of many nations. I believe that eventually the world leader will be the Anti-Christ. Please understand that the tribulation under the Anti-Christ will take place over 7 years. The first half will be more wonderful than you can imagine, the second will be more horrible than you can imagine with streets flowing with blood. DO NOT TAKE THE MARK OF THE BEAST! This mark is meant to go on your forehead and will be needed to purchase any and all food and supplies, but you must not take it, even if it means death! Even if you do not believe what I am saying, please pass it down to your children beacause this WILL happen. I believe that any and everyone who has accepted the Lord into their hearts will be taken up into heaven before the tribulation occurs, but I also believe that those who have not accepted the Lord before will be given another chance to do so during the 7 years of tribulation. If you are around during the tribulation, please remember what I have written and ask the Lord into your heart. Know that Jeasus is your Lord and Savior and that he will forgive you for all of your sins if you repent. Better yet, do this right now and save yourself a lot of grief. Then go and tell the world.

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  madscientist on November 20 at 11:59 a.m.

  this is not a religious forum post. Please limit your comments directly to the article, not some made up bogus propiganda you are trying to sell.