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(K) is a global actor - the EU after Lisbon

European leaders have agreed to grant the two top posts at Herman Van Rompuy and Catherine Ashton. This is seen in many international media as the (temporary) end to the global ambitions of the EU.

"After the European Union's eight-year battle to rewrite its internal rules and to pass the Lisbon Treaty that created these two new jobs, the selection of seeking low-profile figures Seemed to highlight Europe's problems instead of its affairs readiness to take a more united and forceful place in the world. " ( New York Times )

" For nearly a decade, EU politicians have been wrangling about a new rule book, calling for Europe to stage equip itself with leadership posts that would help their club to stride the world. Yet by the time national leaders arrived at a Brussels summit to fill the new posts [...], their boast and ambition were a sad memory. " ( The Economist )

are the strategic decisions of the Union but not in uniform and made a deliberate manner. Instead, the leaders negotiate on European Council on the direction in which to develop Europe, and the respective national interests were always in the back of the head.

Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy in the Council take a leadership role. On " Merkozy " Tandem is currently in Europe by no one. France pushes for even a stronger cooperation between the two largest EU states. Britain is the EU's traditionally skeptical. And David Cameron is elected next year is likely to an outspoken EU critic of British Prime Minister. That the Franco-German Tandem in the foreseeable future, a tricycle is so unlikely.

Gordon Brown, Britain's current prime minister, has failed in the negotiations on the composition of the council president with his candidate (Tony Blair) in the resistance Merkozys. By Tony Blair, many observers a clearer and more visible position Europe had promised in the world.

Blair's futile attempt
Several factors led to failure of the (unofficial) Blair's candidacy:

• a fundamental rivalry between the Eurosceptic United Kingdom and the block to Germany, France and the Benelux
• the aforementioned convergence between Merkel and Sarkozy recent weeks and months
  
• party politics: Merkozy's conservative camp proclaimed the post of President of the Council itself. Gordon Brown (and Tony Blair) are from the Socialist camp. The PES quickly focused on the post of High Representative for foreign and security policy.
• a fundamentally different understanding of roles and influence of the future President of the Council

The last point is crucial. Here reveal strategy differences. Gordon Brown urged (including the Economist and the Guardian, according to) his Social Democratic colleagues: "You need to get real." He said by Tony Blair as a unique opportunity and warned of a "permanent irrelevance" of Europe, in the case of the nomination of a lesser-known politician.

Merkozy, on the other hand, have no interest in "political star" of them steals the show on the international stage. For if a man Franco-German tandem could jeopardize their political dominance, it would be a man of Tony Blair's formats, especially as British.

Global ambitions
The European Union will continue its role as a global player must first return again. Merkozy have the implicit direction armed with the installation Van Rompuy enforced. Foreign policy, and they remain internationally for Barack Obama and other leaders also continue to be the first point of contact in Europe.

This means on one hand the risk of marginalization of European influence in a future world-G2, dominated by the U.S. and China. Also, because Europe is still fragmented voice heard.

other hand, Tony Blair for Merkozy would have represented an incalculable risk. The Office of the President of the Council has yet to be defined design options. While Van Rompuy the humble administrator and moderator will mime, Tony Blair would have interpreted the office may have more in the direction of "President". His political experience and international reputation have made him a sought-after partner, both in the media as well as foreign heads of state. These prospects are likely to have fallen Merkozy not necessarily.

tragedy for the international supporters of a strong Europe should be the fact that the first incumbent will also contribute significantly to future definition and refinement of the Office. The second EU Presidency will be guided by Van Rompuy established procedures. He will have less space to maneuver.

Nevertheless, the hope that the EU leaders courageous in filling in the future, if it is clear what options The Office provides (and what it not offers).