Blair to be named EU President 'within weeks'

Main contender: the former PM said "it is good to have fans"
12 April 2012

Tony Blair is on course to become EU President by the end of the month.

The former prime minister's candidacy for the new post will be rushed through as quickly as possible if Ireland votes "Yes" in its referendum on the Lisbon Treaty today.

Mr Blair is among the favourites to become the first President of the European Union, a role that will restore him to the world stage and boost his long-term income.

And the former Prime Minister could take the European top job as early as 29 October.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has thrown his weight behind a Blair bid. When French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner was asked yesterday if Mr Blair was the only real candidate, he said: "For the moment, indeed". The former premier has refused to rule himself in or out of the running, but said that "it is good to have fans" for a possible candidacy.

Behind the scenes, allies say that while he is not pushing himself forward, discreet soundings have shown him to be the leading contender.

The President will be selected by leaders of the EU's 27 nations, rather than face direct election by voters.

The post cannot exist until the Lisbon Treaty is formally ratified by all member states and officials across Europe would scramble to move forward this weekend if Ireland votes "Yes". Sweden, which chairs the bloc this year, wants a president named by the end of this month.

The only real obstacle in Mr Blair's path is if Poland and the Czech Republic delay their own ratification of the Treaty.

The Tories claim that the two countries could take up to six months to do so, creating the possibility that a Cameron government could also block Mr Blair's candidacy.

Senior Conservative sources today said that the Tory leader would "definitely oppose" Mr Blair's bid for the job. The party is determined not to have the former Labour leader hovering over a Cameron administration and possibly exposing problems with its European policy.

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