Swedish Commissioner: Mary Robinson for EU Foreign Minister

[Apparatchik]

EU communications commissioner Margot Wallstrom has said she is fed up with the "reign of old men" in Brussels corridors, saying public opinion in Europe will not take lightly to the backroom scheming between EU hot-shots. "An inner circle of male decision-makers agree behind closed doors on whom to nominate to EU top jobs," the Swedish commissioner said in an interview with Swedish daily Sydsvenska Dagbladet today.
"It is incredible that only men have been mentioned in the discussions, and that it is all discussed behind the scenes, she added. The Lisbon Treaty, due to come into effect next year, comes with two new top posts in the union: a permanent president for the council, elected for a two and a half year period; and a 'high representative for foreign affairs', or foreign minister.She says the reason that only men are suggested to head the EU's new foreign affairs department is not the lack of female competence. She mentions Irish president Mary Robinson, Finnish President Tarja Halonen and Italian politician Emma Bonino, as "sound candidates." Robbo got her fingers burnt in Geneva. Is she up to the Brussels job?

[cactus flower]

EU communications commissioner Margot Wallstrom has said she is fed up with the "reign of old men" in Brussels corridors, saying public opinion in Europe will not take lightly to the backroom scheming between EU hot-shots. "An inner circle of male decision-makers agree behind closed doors on whom to nominate to EU top jobs," the Swedish commissioner said in an interview with Swedish daily Sydsvenska Dagbladet today.
"It is incredible that only men have been mentioned in the discussions, and that it is all discussed behind the scenes, she added. The Lisbon Treaty, due to come into effect next year, comes with two new top posts in the union: a permanent president for the council, elected for a two and a half year period; and a 'high representative for foreign affairs', or foreign minister.She says the reason that only men are suggested to head the EU's new foreign affairs department is not the lack of female competence. She mentions Irish president Mary Robinson, Finnish President Tarja Halonen and Italian politician Emma Bonino, as "sound candidates." Robbo got her fingers burnt in Geneva. Is she up to the Brussels job?

Who are the lads she would be competing with?

[sarak]

Robinson would be an absolute disaster - elitist, snobbish, distant - just what the EU needs to get away from.

And appointing someone for their sex is so wrong.

And I say that as perhaps the ONLY female poster on this bloody site!!!!!

[FutureTaoiseach]

Are rumours like this designed to lure us into voting yes to Lisbon. Still voting no.

Having said that she would be an excellent candidate for the post, given her correct position on the Middle East.

[dubsthcentralboy]

Well, I don't know...She insulted the Irish people by abandoning the Presidency to go off and take a desk job in Geneva. Maybe is she was EU Foreign Minister she'd leave if offered a chance to operate the McFlurry machine in McDonald's in O'Connell Street. Evidently she can't be trusted to stick with a job.

[Catalpa]

It's a hideous thought allright but don't worry it'll never happen!

TBH I don't think the ol dear would be up to the job anyway - pretty well into her goden years now anyway isn't she?

[Papinian]

I don't think anyone takes Margot Wallstrom seriously - in Brussels or anywhere else. Her Social Democrats got the boot in the 2006 Swedish elections so the Swedish government will certainly not be listening to her.

We all know what a disaster Mary Robinson would be, but she pales in comparison with that old witch Emma Bonino. In 2001 she was censured for her spam-mailing campaign for the 2000 Italian general election. In 1999 she was dismissed by the European Parliament along with the rest of the Santer Commission but being generally rubbish.

If this rumour is designed to lure me into voting yes to Lisbon, it's not having the intended effect.

[Apparatchik]

E

Who are the lads she would be competing with?

The Swedish foreign minister, Carl Bildt, has been mooted as a possible candidate, as has Luxemburg's prime minister Jean Claude Juncker. Lately, there has been much speculation about whether UK former prime minister Tony Blair is interested in the job.

Formally, the decision should be taken by the European Council - the member states' governments - but Wallstrom says that a "nucleus" of male politicians in Europe are already holding informal discussions and they will then later put a decision before other member state leaders as a fait accompli.

"It is very bad for public opinion. The people see male politicians scheming behind closed doors, and that old men choose old men, as always," the commissioner said.

[Joe Ryan]

Well, I don't know...She insulted the Irish people by abandoning the Presidency to go off and take a desk job in Geneva. Maybe is she was EU Foreign Minister she'd leave if offered a chance to operate the McFlurry machine in McDonald's in O'Connell Street. Evidently she can't be trusted to stick with a job.

I remember a time when Robinson's predecessor went nowhere other than Portmarnock golf club where he reduced his golf handicap to zero in 14 years. If my memory serves me right he was another foreign minister in his day. Perhaps this is the type of image the Swedish commisioner wants to get away from.
I would have thought opening a condom machine was more in her mind than a mcFlurry but obviously societies priorities have changed since she went to the UN! Bring her back

[Trampas]

But hasn't the EU Foreign Minister now mutated into a "High Representative". With all that hauteur Robbo would be ideal.