Reaction to first EU president van Rompuy

Last week the EU elected its first president Herman van Rompuy, and needless to say in as complex a continent as Europe, the reaction to his ascencion has been mixed to say the least.

 

He was endorsed by most of the top leaders within the EU:

Gordon Brown, UK Prime Minister:

He has a reputation for integrity and resolve and… his qualities as a diplomat, as a statesman and as a negotiator will be qualities that he can bring to the European Council and to his new position as president.

Nicolas Sarkozy, French President

He is a man who is profoundly European and I believe it is a very wise decision to have chosen as the first stable president of the council a man who comes from a founding country of the European Union.

Jose Manuel Barroso, EC President

I think it will be impossible to have a better choice. It is also a tribute to Belgium. When selecting the current Belgian prime minister, a man of great qualities as Herman van Rompuy, I think the European [Union] also expressed its gratitude for the work of Belgium and the constant support that this country at the heart of Europe has been giving to our common project.

Fredrik Reinfeldt, Swedish Prime Minister

The idea is to have a leader of the (EU) council… who actually gives room for everyone, who listens to everyone, who creates winners not losers.

 

President who? – The media reaction

The Independent seemed to summarise effectively the typical reaction from the media/blogosphere – Herman who? The world greets new EU President

The EU Observer – Van Rompuy – Van Who?

The Wall Street Journal had an interesting US take on matters:

……..the appointments last week ……….. to those posts seem calculated to say as little as possible.

 

So there we go, essentially it seems that the election of van Rompuy was designed to be as uncontroversial as possible – whether or not this lack of profile will continue is another matter – the new president is already making some waves with his ‘Euro Tax’ proposal.

What is your reaction to the appointment of a President of the EU? Will it make any difference to the functioning of the European Union?, and will business development within the EU be affected in any way? We welcome your opinions…….