Europeans elect leaders to ‘maintain balance’

Greater Europe still has a week before December 1, when the Lisbon Treaty takes force and its so-called new life begins. The newly-elected full time president and foreign minister of the European Union now have only a few days to get adjusted to their new roles.

Nevertheless, the bureaucratic machine in Brussels is running so smoothly that Herman Van Rompuy and Catherine Ashton, who start their work today, will hardly have any problems with that.

As is often the case with important European political decisions, the results of the Lisbon Treaty have only begun to show after the initial euphoria has faded. After all, it took the Europeans nearly four years to ratify the treaty with all its amendments and additions. Nevertheless, many questions remain.

“Who is the happiest person in Brussels today?” journalists asked a high-ranking official from the European Commission in Brussels. “(Manuel) Barroso is the happiest guy in Brussels,” said one EU official. “He can’t believe his luck.”

Staffing decisions

Barroso, chairman of the European Commission, was re-elected for another five-year term in 2009. Barroso’s position in the EU is equivalent to that of prime minister, and he will keep all of his executive powers, including control over the large European bureaucracy, its financial and staffing decisions, and preparations for all important meetings and negotiations. He will also remain responsible for the talks on climate change, trade and economic issues, and relations with the G20.

It does not require much imagination to guess as to why Barroso is so happy. His team is not even trying to hide their glee. Many years ago, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger asked the rhetorical question “Who do you call if you want to call Europe?” Barroso’s supporters have provided an unequivocal answer: ‘Manuel.’ But this certainly does not mean that former Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy will be a mere talking head with a big salary. He will simply be responsible for different goals.

Faster resolutions

He was not elected to increase Europe’s influence in Washington, Moscow or Beijing. One shouldn’t delude oneself on this account. His election will not change Russia’s relations with Brussels in any way. There are issues between Russia and Europe which can only be addressed at bilateral talks with each of the 27 EU members. Neither Van Rompuy nor even Baroness Ashton of Upholland will be able to do much here.

Van Rompuy was elected to resolve so-called internal issues. He is known in Belgium for his ability to overcome differences and negotiate compromises. Thanks to him, Belgium was able to maintain balance and stability during its interethnic tangle between the Dutch-speaking Flemish population and French-speaking Walloons.

His departure will leave Belgian politics with a gap the country will find difficult to fill anytime soon. Now Van Rompuy will help to bring together the 27 governments of the European Union, which are constantly arguing on just about everything. This does not mean that all the internal disagreements within the EU will disappear on December 1; they will more probably still be there on December 1, 2010. However, with Van Rompuy at the helm, there is hope for faster and less painful resolutions.

Internal problems

The new triumvirate in Brussels will still have many relations to build, of course. But both Van Rompuy and Ashton are considered very competent in their respective fields, even if they are not widely known outside their own countries. Van Rompuy may have spent only one year as Belgian prime minister, which is not long. But he has not made a single political enemy outside his small country during this time, which is a great accomplishment for any politician.

The country that will benefit the most from the new appointments is Germany. It was Chancellor Angela Merkel who convinced her main European ally, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, to focus on internal European politics rather than on the international arena. Merkel could even be called the godmother of the post-Lisbon EU configuration.

This does not mean Europe is becoming more isolationist. But it does mean that from now on the EU will focus on resolving internal problems and disagreements between members. Chancellor Merkel was also the one who insisted on electing these obscure politicians, who also happen to be neither German nor French. European officials are now beginning to fight for EU commissioners’ posts, and both Berlin and Paris will certainly want these positions for their representatives. RIA Novosti