Bloomberg: Belgium’s Van Rompuy Emerges as Compromise in EU Race
The European Union’s first presidential campaign heated up, with Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy emerging as a possible compromise candidate after former U.K. leader Tony Blair’s chances faded. Momentum built for a decision as soon as next week after the last hurdle to the creation of the post fell yesterday with Czech President Vaclav Klaus’s endorsement of the 27-nation bloc’s governing treaty. Van Rompuy, 62, joined Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, 53, and Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, 54, as potential choices for EU leaders as they prepare to pick their first president. Debate has centered on the choice between a globally recognized name or a practitioner of behind- the-scenes coalition-building. A trained economist, Van Rompuy worked at the Belgian central bank from 1972 to 1975 before going into politics, where he had stints in government in the 1980s and 1990s. As budget minister, he helped drive down Belgium’s debt from a peak of 135 percent of gross domestic product in 1993. It fell to below 100 percent of GDP in 2003.
Paddy Power Plc, Ireland’s biggest bookmaker, made Balkenende the 9-4 favorite, ahead of Blair at 11-4, Van Rompuy at 3-1 and Juncker at 4-1.
Labels: EU, Lisbon Treaty
