Comments on: Brown, Barroso and the Baroness

By: Igor Guerra

Igor Guerra — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:38:48 +0000

Indeed Brown’s move has been a speedy reshuffle, while the lenghty appointment of Tajani humiliated the Commission with a long stanby, motivated simply by an obvious tacticism to bypass Prodi.

Anyway, has President Barroso ever played “tough” with any of the great and good of the Council?

By: Barroso is no Delors… Europe needs someone better « Childofeurope’s Weblog

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:32:18 +0000

[...] Politique on October 9, 2008 at 9:32 am A conversation with Jon Worth after his post “Brown, Barroso and the Baroness” has prompted me to write this post… The aim of the blogosphere is to be able to share [...]

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:08:24 +0000

Plus it took ages for the Frattini / Tajani arrangement to be sorted out from the side of the Italian government. At least Brown has been swift with regard to Ashton (who’s already in Brussels trying to learn her brief).

By: Dr Giacomo Benedetto

Dr Giacomo Benedetto — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 23:58:39 +0000

Transport is important, but still a demotion compared to Justice, Freedom and Security. This was a well deserved punishment for the Berlusconi government. For weeks after the Italian election in April this year, Frattini’s leave of absence continued. When the new Italian Parliament first sat a few weeks later, he resigned from it 24 hours before so that he would not lose his place on the Commission, thereby further prolonging his leave of absence and preventing Prodi from nominating Giuliano Amato or Emma Bonino to the Justice, Freedom and Security portfolio.

By: Jo

Jo — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:47:59 +0000

Interesting analysis. Also notice that transport continues to be perceived as a minor portfolio given the extent of EU competence in this area and how crucial getting it right is to economies across Europe and beyond…

By: Child of Europe

Child of Europe — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:07:38 +0000

Well then I guess that we agree on the most important matter of all!

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:56:24 +0000

We’ll have to agree to disagree on Barroso-Berlusconi.

On Barroso for another term – I am completely against it, and have argued that it would be stupid to re-appoint him. I sadly think it’s inevitable though.

By: Child of Europe

Child of Europe — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:49:58 +0000

I personally don’t think that Barroso got an egg cracked on his face. After all, it’s not his fault Italy nominated Buttiglione… I think it reflected negatively on Berlusconi.
You must recall that this was also at a point when the Parliament was trying reaffirm its power- hence blowing up the Buttiglione issue…
Also, remember that Italy is one of the big players in Europe. You can’t expect them to get a minor DG, whatever the candidate.
The Commission has not been tough on Italy- it has been applying EU law where it needs to be applied. The Alitalia case is one of a few in Europe… Including Greece’s Olympic which has also been a long-drawn issue.
I don’t disagree that Merkel and Sarko are backing Barroso (at the moment). I dissagree that it should be him. And realistically, the person expected to be nominated President of the Commission months before the time comes usually doesn’t get the job. I just think it’s a little early to start making bets; and I remain hopeful!