FEATURE: The new European Council President

Last week another potential candidate as European Council President appeared in the news. Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern would join other big names for the post, including former British PM Tony Blair, and current EU Commission President Jose’ Manuel Barroso. But do we know exactly what this post is? And what kind of man – or woman – we need to do this job?

The new Presidency is one of the innovations of the late constitution, and has been kept in the Reform Treaty. A politician would be chosen to become President of the European Council - i.e. the EU governments - and would be in charge for two and a half years (renewable for one more term), instead of the current system, which has a rotating presidency changing every six months.

The benefits are clear: it would ensure more continuity to the actions of the Council, and would give a "face" to the EU. It is however still difficult to understand what role he or she will practically play, and in what it will differ from the other newly created post, which many have refused to name as "EU Foreign Minister" but which will be, in practise, very close to that.

Mr Ahern hasn't declared his intention yet, but has a good card to play. If his government succeeds in winning the referendum to pass the Lisbon Treaty, this will give him enough credibility and legitimacy.

Among other candidates, Tony Blair has been supported by French PM Nicolas Sarcozy, but his chances to succeed have decreased. Many politicians don’t think that the post should be given to a country that hasn't joined the Euro, doesn’t take part in the Schenghen agreement and has secured too many opt-outs on the Treaty. An on-line campaign against the nomination of Blair is being carried out.

The other possible candidates include Jose' Manuel Barroso, the head of the EU Commission, but whose mandate ends only in July 2009; Luxembourg PM Jean-Claude Juncker, who is backed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and is an experienced EU politician; and Danish PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who wants to reopen the debate in Denmark about joining the Euro.

The game, therefore, is still open, and anyone of these, or someone else, has enough chances to succeed.