Brussels, Belgium (CNN) -- European Union leaders named Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy as the first "president of Europe" Thursday, edging out former British Prime Minister Tony Blair for a still-vaguely defined job.
"I did not seek this high position, and I didn't take any steps to achieve it," Van Rompuy said in accepting the job. "But tonight, I take on this task with conviction and with enthusiasm."
Van Rompuy, a 62-year-old, soft-spoken fan of Japanese poetry, will become the face of European Union and represent its 27 member nations at summits overseas. His conservative government took office in December 2008.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/11/19/eu.presidency/index.htmlSo one president was picked by 27 others. Excuse me if I don't exactly see that as Democracy in action.
Whatever floats their boat though. It must be nice to throw Belgium a bone from time to time
, to make them feel important.
Maybe Liechtenstein can be president next year
.
Rompuy, its short for Rumplestiltskin. LOL
The gross domestic product of the European Union is 16.2 trillion dollars, which is bigger than the United States at 14.4 trillion. The more Europe acts as a unified government, the more significant it becomes as a world superpower.
Also there is word out that Muslim immigrants are out reproducing the natives in many EU countries already. Laws being changed in many EU countries to avoid offending Muslims. Some speculate that within 20-30 years most EU countries will be under Sharia law. Hmmmm....THAT degree of socialism has always failed long-term.
Always. GTO
