Belgian trumps Blair to become EU President

Thu Nov 19 2009 21:02:45

A little-known Belgian federalist has trumped Tony Blair to become the first President of the European Union.

The Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy took the top job after Gordon Brown dropped his backing for Tony Blair in the face of overwhelming oppostion from other parties.

The UK's EU Trade Commissioner Baroness Cathy Ashton becomes Europe's first "foreign minister" after the Prime Minister insisted a British candidate got a seat at the top table.

Mr Brown Baroness Ashton would also hold the vice-presidency of the European Commission and the appointment would reaffirm Britain's influence in Europe.

He said: "It shows that Britain is at the heart of Europe and it shows that we are leading the way in extending women's representation in the way we have done."

The Prime Minister said he still felt that Tony Blair - whom he backed for the presidency - would have been "excellent".

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