Poor May

As we get closer to a decisive moment regarding Brexit - it will be major agenda item in the March Council meeting – I notice that UK Prime Minister Teresa May´s political credibility among the key EU leaders has now reached a low point. They have serious doubts about May´s ascendancy over her Cabinet. The EU leaders believe she understands what is possible – an exit that is not a really exit but in name. But they are also very much aware at present that May´s Cabinet has some very wild cats that are only waiting for the right time to show their claws and try to grab the top position. 

Criteria to select Juncker´s successor

The discussion about the selection and approval of the next European Commission President has now openly started. Juncker is still on up to the end of next year, that´s true, but it´s also a fact that the issue of his succession will continue to occupy the minds during the next few months.

I am convinced that the tradition of selecting a former head of government or State to chair the Commission should be kept. Such an approach is fundamental to give a solid foundation of authority to the holder of that most critical job. 

In addition to that type of political experience, the candidates most be consensual enough, including in terms of enticing the support of the European Parliament. Nobody can get the job if not supported by the EP. Such requirement does not mean the successful candidate most come from the political family that gets the greater number of seats in the next parliament. It means that such candidate must be able to gain the advantage within the EP. 

Besides these two criteria - former government leadership experience and majority vote in parliament – the new President should come from a region of the EU that has been underrepresented when it comes to this type of responsibilities. That makes me think of the Nordic and the Baltic States. And, last point, the preference should go for a woman. 

On matters of War

War without a concomitant, serious, persistent search for a political solution to the conflict is not morally justified. It´s unacceptable state terror. It´s a crime against the people.