Hermann Van Rompuy (Photo: houbi/flickr)
Do you know Herman Van Rompuy? No. Don’t worry. It is not important, to know this politician.
You insist to know, who is Herman Van Rompuy? O.K. I’ll tell you. He is the Belgian prime minister. And he seems to be the most likely candidate for the first European Union presidency.
His qualification? Defintely low profile - precise illustration of EU’s state of affairs.
As President of the European Council of Ministers Herman Van Rompuy would preside over the coming 2,5 years the European Summits-sessions – whicht takes place at least four times a year in Brussels.
The informal selection-procedure for the new EU-top-posts run at full speed – especially after today’s decision of the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic (“Czechoslovakia” as ‘De Morgen’ wrote today) to pass the EU treaty. The Council president will be announced at an extraordinary European summit (probably) Mid November or at the next normal summit in december.
“Rumours in diplomatic circles increasingly point to the Belgian prime minister Herman Van Rompuy as most likely candidate for the first European Union presidency. Van Rompuy’s compromising stance makes him a popular choice. Moreover he is respected for his low profile, careful and humble work ethic”, writes today flamish daily paper De Morgen.
“Low profile, careful, humble work ethic”? European heads of government and obviously José Manuel Barroso seem to prefer a person they can keep on a short lead.
Why not the Dutch prime minister Jan-Peter Balkenende and why not Jean-Claude Juncker – my favourite candidate since years, the Luxemburg Prime minister and good old european guy?
“Despite the fact that Balkenende is a hot favourite in the Dutch press, his image has been slightly tainted and he has become less favourable among some, especially after his clumsy loss of the EU referendum in his own country in 2006 and the fact that he backed the war in Iraq under the Bush administration. Jean-Claude Juncker is a robust candidate, but his strong pro-European stance could be to his disadvantage”, writes De Morgen.
“…strong European stance” – an disadvantage? What does it mean? To insist for instance to much on the Euro-stability rules, when it comes to judge on the national debt-policies?
And, why don’t the Benelux-countries speak with one voice and nominate Juncker?
I have to admit. I don’t know Mr. Van Rompuy. But I’ve the strong impression, that Europe needs and deserves a better candidate for this new top post – than Van Rompuy might be. With the Lisbon Treaty the EU would become more “democratic, effective and transparent”, we were told (brainwashed) day and night. It seems to be more the contrary. Poor Europe.
#1 by Karel Louis on November 3rd, 2009 - 12:37 pm
Sir,
I would advice you to do more research on Van Rompuy before writing this sort of article.
He’s not exactly one you can keep on a short leash for example. He may be low profile but if you can be the prime minister of Belgium in this time of turmoil and keep things peacefully (believe me, that’s a hard task), you’re more than qualified for the task of EU president.
#2 by Karel Louis on November 3rd, 2009 - 12:44 pm
Furthermore, have you read that article in De Morgen properly?
They wrote that Juncker is in favor for more EU integration which is a stance that makes the Brits, for starters, shiver so there’s a high chance that Great Britain will veto Juncker.
#3 by Cedric Van Dorpe on November 3rd, 2009 - 1:17 pm
Van Rompuy may be unknown, but he is a smart politician, a person that can bring people of different opinions together to move forward, which is why he is the only person that appears to be able to lead Belgium, a famously divided and unstable country.
By having three candidates, the benelux has a lot more chance of getting the job than by backing one. Nobody is impressed by a candidate just because he has the backing of the benelux.
Juncker is opposed by both Brittain and France and therefor doesn’t seem very likely.
#4 by Steve Peers on November 3rd, 2009 - 1:46 pm
No Member State has a ‘veto’, since the appointment is by QMV. But on the other hand, the appointee and the MS will all get along better if s/he is appointed by consensus.
This post seems to assume that a dull, low-profile appointment is a bad idea. On the contrary, it was the creation of this new post that was a bad idea. Since it seems we will be stuck with it, better appoint the dullest and most tedious person imaginable (and hopefully Van Who will fit the bill) so as to leave as much power as possible in the hands of elected governments in the Council and European Council, and elected MEPs. Even the Commission has a bit more claim to democratic legitimacy than the European Council President will. But that’s fine as long as the President’s role is basically marginal and ceremonial – cf a number of Member States where the question of electing the president does not arise because his/her job is so limited in scope (ie Germany, Italy).
If the European Council President were a high-profile person like Blair (but not only Blair) who tried to use the position to wield great public influence, the lack of legitimacy would be impossible to defend. So, let’s hear it for Van Drone!
#5 by Éva K. on November 3rd, 2009 - 3:00 pm
“Constitutional Court of Czechoslovakia”?? If not before, I would have thought that at least since their accession to the EU (2004), basic information about Central European countries would be evident to European journalists. Their names, at least…
an outraged Hungarian
#6 by Hajo Friedrich on November 3rd, 2009 - 3:22 pm
Éva, you are absolutely right.
Thank you.
#7 by ronny on November 3rd, 2009 - 7:31 pm
Sir,
Never underestimate the unknown, so also do not underestimate Mr. Van Rompuy.
He is much smarter and wiser than you (or Mr Barroso for that matter) would want to believe.
regards, Ron
#8 by koen on November 4th, 2009 - 2:51 pm
Belgians are underestimated. Smart, low profile, work ethic and humble. Thats what made us rich.
#9 by bart on November 5th, 2009 - 11:47 am
Sir,
If you criticise De Morgen newspaper, please do make the effort to quote correctly. The reference to Czechoslowakia in the article was made in a historical context (hence the word ‘former’ in front of it in the article), as to explain why president Klaus is/was opposed to the EU treaty (in which expelled Germans and their property claims from former Czechoslowakia do play a significant role).
#10 by Ronald Grünebaum on November 5th, 2009 - 3:36 pm
As a compatriot I would advise you to avoid the typical German arrogance. Just because you don’t know someone, doesn’t mean that the person doesn’t count. As a Brussels insider you should certainly have come across the complexity of Belgian politics. If Van Rompuy is succesful there, he can’t be that bad.
It seems that you have a reputation of covering the EU rather decently, not in the hysterical tabloid style that has become so common. Keep it like that.
#11 by Hajo Friedrich on November 11th, 2009 - 2:13 pm
Nobody is against Herman Van Rompuy – in the closed shop of the EU-Heads of State this actually seems to be the main qualification to ask Mr. Van Rompuy to become the President of the European Councils.
I think, that’s needs to be critisized. And it is exactly the contrary to the promisses of the new EU-treaty: to make the EU more transparent, effective and democratic.
Herman Van Rompuy – a successful belgian politician? That remains to be seen. If he is so good, he definitely should have more time to proof this assumption. In the interest of Belgium and the european/international institutions, who decided long time ago to have their seats in the wonderful Kingdom of Belgium .
What does it mean for Herman Van Rompuy? The nice and higly qualified politician should stay where he is. Belgian desperately deserves better politicians on important posts – similar in Germany and many other countries.
Coming back to my favourite: the only personality who is widely known in the EU – except of the big shots like our dreamteam Angela and Sarko – is Jean Claude Juncker. He has a clear, transparent political and character profile. And for better communication purposes not to forget: Jucker speaks the three EU-working languages – perfectly. Monsieur Sarkozy should have the ‘courage’ to support Juncker.
#12 by Umberta Mesina on November 13th, 2009 - 12:02 pm
Forgive me: if you don’t know him how can you have a strong (or feeble) impression about him?
I read his work in his country has regarded with high respect (by EU-level politicians), since he give stability to Belgium after a very very difficult time.
He is not as famous/infamous as others: well, that could be an asset!
Greetings,
Umberta
#13 by Umberta Mesina on November 13th, 2009 - 12:03 pm
Of, course his work “is” regarded etc. My apologies.
#14 by dirk on November 14th, 2009 - 8:26 pm
Am not impressed by your consistency. On one hand, you say that Van Rompuy – if he is good – should stay where he is. On the other hand, you say that he is a feeble Mr. Nobody.
It appears to me that you are just trying to make a statement in favour of Mr. Juncker. This man has merits as Eurogroup chairman, but before he was Luxembourgian PM…like Mr. Santer…
Herman Van Rompuy is a very intelligent and modest man, and I would not say he is a worse choice than J-C, on the contrary !
#15 by chantal on November 19th, 2009 - 4:23 pm
this man can not serve a democratic union because he was never elected in Belgium . He has being put on the post by the king not by the people!!!
#16 by francis chua on November 20th, 2009 - 1:32 pm
nov. 20, 2009
world war 3 between european union and russia’s vladimir zhirinovsky, root cause is russia’s invasion or annihilation of israel, and EU to the rescue. millions will die on both sides from nuclear blasts exchanges. n in the near future. people have been warned!!
avoidable if EU sell out israel to russia and avoid helping.
#17 by francis chua on November 20th, 2009 - 1:35 pm
nov. 20, 2009
world war 3 between european union and russia’s vladimir zhirinovsky, root cause is russia’s invasion or annihilation of israel, and EU to the rescue. millions will die on both sides from nuclear blasts exchanges. in the near future. people have been warned!!
avoidable if EU sell out israel to russia and avoid helping.
#18 by eastlander on November 22nd, 2009 - 8:25 pm
People are tired out from all those ” charismatic Eurostars”. Herman Van Rompuy will bring a new point of view to european problems. He will be good President.
#19 by Jules Becker on November 23rd, 2009 - 3:34 pm
You should learn how to write first before making false comments on someone else. Shame on you. Seriously.
#20 by Ross on November 23rd, 2009 - 6:04 pm
Van Rompuy: ‘Turkey will never be part of Europe’
LEIGH PHILLIPS
18.11.2009 @ 19:42 CET
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy, a leading candidate to win the presidency of the European Council, is strongly opposed to Turkey ever joining the European Union.
“Turkey is not a part of Europe and will never be part of Europe,” Mr Van Rompuy said during a meeting of the Council of Europe on the subject of Turkey’s possible entry into the EU, held in the Belgian parliament on December, 2004.
The Belgian leader believes Turkey would threaten Europe’s ‘Christian values’ (Photo: Luc Van Braekel)
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Comment article
During the speech, the Belgian leader underscored Europe’s Christian “fundamental values,” which would be undermined by admitting Turkey into the union.
“An expansion of the EU to include Turkey cannot be considered as just another expansion as in the past. The universal values which are in force in Europe, and which are also fundamental values of Christianity, will lose vigour with the entry of a large Islamic country such as Turkey,” the then opposition politician said in a speech that until now has remained buried.
So that’s what the guy said…how does he square that with taking office at the apex of a PC pyramid that endorses ‘gay’ perversion and other ferociously anti-Christian policies.
#21 by ANN NOTERDAEME on December 28th, 2009 - 11:44 am
@koen
(COULD YOU LEARN NOT TALKING ABOUT “US”, I do not think you represent me) because I have a slight idea that what made “you” rich are the congolese mines and black people’s sweat as well, with the Palais de Justice as a birthday cake.
#22 by Clarify on December 28th, 2009 - 11:12 pm
You waste your time. Real changes in Europe have always come from the bottom like in 18th century France, now it is “coming” from the top and they are all too “well nourished” to give a damn………..
#23 by Clarify on December 28th, 2009 - 11:16 pm
@chantal
Ha ha ha the same thing for the new EU “Foreign Minister” sorry “high representative” as the demos of the Europe Enthusiastic country origin wants the post to be called
…………