Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Briefing Note: 001
Name: Guy Verhofstadt
Age: 60
Appearance: The creepy chemistry teacher you had at school.
Beliefs: In his early career he was nicknamed “baby Thatcher” for his
liberalising ways, but it’s a rubbish comparison. He’s exactly the kind of “but
poor people have feelings too” wet blanket she couldn’t stand. Most of
important of all, he is the European federalist’s federalist. He can’t get
through a sentence with uttering the magic words “More Europe!” He was the front-runner
for Commission President in 2004 but Tony Blair vetoed him for being an
annoying federalist.
Position: Prime Minister of Belgium from 1999 to 2008 (an impressive feat),
current leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the European
Parliament, now their candidate for Commission President with 80% of the
vote of party members.
Wow! He must be really popular then? Probably has more to do with the fact that his
only competitor was Commission austerity-monger in chief Olli Rehn.
Say no more. Well quite. Although being the everyone’s-a-winner bunch ALDE are, Guy
and Olli did a deal. He’s not popular with his own party but ALDE still
designated Rehn as “lead candidate for another important job” (President of the
European Council, Foreign Policy Supremo). Olli’s going to campaign in Northern
Europe and Guy in Southern Europe.
Genius! What could possibly go wrong? Those pesky voters are at it again. Unfortunately, most Europeans don’t
think that more Europe is the answer. Most importantly,
domestic strife for the two biggest players in the ALDE group, the British
Libdems and the German FDP, is set to ensure that the group comes back with
only around 65 MEPs in June.
Chances of becoming Commission President? Worse than last time.
Do say: “More Europe will solve all your problems!”
Don’t say: “Thank God it's not Olli Rehn.”
