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The EU's curious choice of Juncker for president
 [BBC] It will be a curious nomination. Almost certainly this week the EU's heads of government will nominate the centre-right politician Jean-Claude Juncker to be the most powerful official in the EU.Why curious? Because very few officials or heads of government believe he is the best man to lead the EU at a moment of growing disenchantment with the European project. He is the classic Brussels insider, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of Europe's rules; a man who prefers the secret, early-hours deal-making to the role of open persuader; a man deeply committed to further European integration. So a typical conversation - which I have had many times over the past week - goes like this: "Do you think Mr Juncker is the right face for the EU at this time?" Answer: "We're not interested in faces or personalities, it is the agenda that counts." So the question is neatly side-stepped. Private misgivings It is very difficult to find anyone who can explain why Mr Juncker is the best candidate to lead the EU in a fresh direction. From various conversations it seems that several heads of government are likely to back him at a summit later this week while not believing in him. Posted by: Fred 2014-06-23 |
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