The 27 members of the European Union are set to ratify the Lisbon treaty by next year, creating, among other things, the new office of president of the European Council.
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The 27 members of the European Union are set to ratify the Lisbon treaty by next year, creating, among other things, the new office of president of the European Council.</p>
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Currently the EU's leadership is rotated between the member countries every six months, while the new president will hold office for two and half years.</p>
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Who will be selected for this new job? That seems even harder to predict than who will be the next U.S. president.</p>
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German magazine <em>Der Spiegel</em> Online reported, "Tony Blair is one prominent name that has been bandied about recently. The former British prime minister is said to have a good shot, and he has powerful friends. French President Nicolas Sarkozy has thrown his support behind Blair for reasons of both personality and politics"; (Jan. 28, 2008).</p>
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But the magazine noted that many others in Europe, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, aren't as impressed.</p>
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One thing is for sure. Americans will likely miss the behind the scenes and even open jockeying for this powerful new position while caught up in their own presidential election.</p>
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