A King of Europe
José M. de Areilza
November 1st, 2009
After the meeting of the European Council a few days ago, our leaders are more inclined to elect a permanent President of this institution with the profile of a ceremonial Chairman and not that of a Managing Director. The names of the Belgian Prime Minister van Rumpoy and the former Austrian Chancellor Schussel are the uninspiring frontrunners to this new job created by the Treaty of Lisbon. Tony Blair seems to have been discarded (vetoed?) for his atlanticism, which is another way of saying his good sense –pity that he had to work during his tenure as prime minister with George W. Bush in the White House. Well, since Paris and Berlin agree –surprise, surprise- that no heavyweight should be at the helm of the European Council, and since the system of election is truly medieval and no democratic methodology is used at all, why not innovate and look for the best person capable of symbolizing Europe & exercising moral power? Why not a well chosen member of a European royal family? After all, half a dozen Member States are constitutional Monarchies and royal families do represent the history and tradition of the continent and usually know how to stay above politics. I am sure that we can find a Prince or a Princess that speaks five languages, has a great education and all the political skills that is demanded by this top job -and is willing to spend 2 and a half years reigning in Brussels.
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Dear José, the title of the post contains the word King, but then you seem to imply that youth should be a factor (together with knowledge over a certain number of languages, etc.), towards being eligible for the ‘job’.
Youth + languages + political skills… plus perhaps as well a willingness to take the job plus a desirable lack of enemies or circumstances that could impede his or her ability to be elected.
I’m no expert on the current state of European Royalty… though I’d say there is a very good chance that there could be a number of candidates within its boundaries that would match if not exceed the requisites you lay down.
Had you asked me some 20-25 years ago, my choice would have been Princess Grace of Monaco… That, you bet, would have brought Europeans together.
Comment by tfserna — November 2, 2009 @ 4:10 am
Dear Jose Maria,
Thank you very much for your article, it what just what I needed after reading about the new developments in the nomination of the President of the European Council. Unfortunately, nowadays reconverting disappointment into irony seems to be the only European way.
Regarding Tomas F. Serna’s comment about Princess Grace of Monaco, I am afraid she would have also faced some obstacles at the European Council: she would have been accused of atlanticism (or Hollywoodism, even worse), her country does not participate fully in all EU policies, and moreover, European citizens outside the Brussels bubble might have known her and even liked her, which sadly seems to be the determinant factor.
Anyway, long life for the 2 and a half years King of Europe!
Comment by ESanfrutos — November 4, 2009 @ 9:44 pm
Dear ESanfrutos, loved your comment!
Good to see that the surrealism employed in this whole ‘King of Europe’ business (post + comments) has been appreciated.
Bests, TFS
Comment by tfserna — November 5, 2009 @ 9:16 am