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July 24, 2008 10:41:20 PM CDT

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Blair Eyes Role as Europe's First President

Posted Feb 2, 08 12:38 PM CST in World 

(Newser) – Tony Blair is angling to become Europe’s first president, the Guardian reports, but the former British PM wants to be assured the EU’s new top job will come with real authority on defense and trade. Blair, currently the Mideast envoy for the US, EU, UN, and Russia, has been meeting with allies and already has French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s support. The post as head of the EU Council will be filled next January.

Blair, however, hasn’t won Angela Merkel’s vote. The German chancellor’s party fears a Blair presidency might embolden her country’s opposition party. Neither Germany nor France would push for Blair if current British PM Gordon Brown opposed his appointment, the Guardian notes. Blair has been frustrated at his lack of authority to further Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Source Guardian (UK)

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Fomer British Prime Minister Tony Blair could face one potential obstacle to his bid to become Europe's first president: Angela Merkel. The German chancellor is opposed to Blair filling the post, the...   (Associated Press)
Former British prime minister Tony Blair gestures as he speaks in Toronto, Thursday Jan.17, 2008. Blair has been holding discussions with some of his oldest allies on how he could mount a campaign later...   (Associated Press)
Former British prime minister Tony Blair gestures as he speaks in Toronto, Thursday Jan.17, 2008. Blair has been holding discussions with some of his oldest allies on how he could mount a campaign later...   (Associated Press)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, is supporting Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in his possible bid to become the first president of Europe, the Guardian says. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)   (Associated Press)
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Nicolas Sarkozy  • European Union  • Gordon Brown  • Tony Blair  • Angela Merkel  • defense  • trade affairs



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