Discover the Next EU President with Estonian Free Press

Thursday will be the date when the new EU president will be elected. From Estonian Free Press we want to show the main candidates for the position explaining pros and cons for each and every one:

Toomas Hendrik Ilves – ESTONIA

Current President of Estonia

Pros: Is a centrist politician. He didn’t grow in Europe but in US which could be well seen by those countries thinking EU has to be closer to the US.

Cons: The fact that he didn´t grow up in Europe could also be seen as a cons.  Inexperience by working in EU politics and not much influence with high-profile leaders.

Vaira Vike-Freiberga – LATVIA

Former Latvian President from 1999 to 2007. Took Latvia into EU in 2004.

Pros: EU and International experience (vice-president of a Think tank on Europe’s future). Swede´s EU commissioner Margot Wallstrom said it would be good for EU to choose a woman for the job. She has the support from Lithuania.

Cons: She is 71 and does not have a great international political weight.

Wolfgang Schuessel – AUSTRIA

Former Chancellor of Austria from 2000 to 2007

Pros: Austria is in the middle of Europe and has participated in all the EU main initiatives. He was praised for weakening the Freedoms Party influence (far right party) of nationalist leader Joerg Haider. He could get support from Germany.

Cons:  Anyway Schuessel was criticized for going into coalition with Freedom Party in 1999. Austria has never been very visible in the hierarchy of Brussels.

Herman Van Rompuy – BELGIUM

Current Prime Minister of Belgium

Pros: He is seen by the diplomats as a frontrunner for the job. H is also seen in the divided Belgium as a unifying force resolving conflicts between the Dutch and French –speaking communities. France and Germany would be willing to support him.

Cons: Some analysts have said about him that he would not upstage the leaders of the big powers in Europe which could take away votes from small state members.

Jan-Peter Balkenende – NETHERLANDS

Current Prime Minister of Netherlands

Pros: Strong as he has been at the helm of four successive Dutch governments. He belongs to the center-right party which would give him much support by many European leaders.

Cons: He was compared by Karel De Gucht, European Minister of Foreign Affairs, as “a mix between Harry Potter and a rigid bourgeois without charisma”.

Jean-Claude Juncker – LUXEMBOURG

Current Prime Minister of Luxembourg

Pros: Large EU experience and Europe’s longest serving leader. Head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers from euro zone Mmber Sates. Awarded with Charlemagne Prize in 2006 for his contribution to European unity. Would have support from Sarkozy.

Cons: He has a federalist reputation which would make Gordon Brown would be unlikely to support him. Newer EU member states could also be against “an old European rocker” would lead them.

Felipe Gonzalez – SPAIN

Spanish Prime Minister from 1982 to 1996. He took Spain to EU.

Pros: EU experience (chairman of a Think tank on Europe’s future), great political weight. Still a popular figure in Spain. As he is Socialist he would have the support from the Spanish Government.  In 2008 also Bernard Kouchner, foreign affairs minister of France, confirmed his country’s support for the candidacy of Felipe Gonzalez as President of the European Union.

Cons: Most European leaders have different political views than him, what would be a disadvantage

Tony Blair – UK

British Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007.

Pros: Great political weight. He would be supported by British Government as UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown called him “an excellent candidate”. Silvio Berlusconi and Nicolas Sarkozy would also support him. EU experience as Middle East envoy (also from US, UN AND Russia). In 1999 was awarded with Charlemagne Prize for his contribution to the European unity.

Cons: Conservative Party, widely expected to win the next general elections in UK, is completely opposed to Blair. Not support from smaller countries, as they fear their interests will not be represented by a high-profile president. Some capitals do not appreciate the fact that he was a member of the Azores Trio (Iraq war).

John Bruton – IRELAND

Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) from 1994 to 1997

Pros: EU ambassador to Washington and also served as vice-president of the centre-right European People’s Party (EEP). Irish president during a crucial time for the Northern Ireland peace process, which is well valued. He is a passionate supporter of European integration.

Cons: Less political weight than other candidates (while this could become in a pro as some EU leaders have indicate they prefer a chairman-style president rather than a high profile figure).