Herman Van Rompuy (Flemish Christian democrat) could become the first president of the European Council. The man who, just one year ago unexpectedly and reluctantly became the Prime Minister of Belgium, has now been chosen to take one of the top jobs in Europe.
The other top job created by the Lisbon Treaty - foreign affairs supremo - has gone to the EU Trade Commissioner, Baroness Catherine Ashton from the UK..
Earlier, the UK government had said it was no longer pushing for former PM Tony Blair to get the presidency post.
Mr Van Rompuy, 62, had crucial French and German support. He has a reputation as a coalition builder, having taken charge of the linguistically divided Belgian government and steered it out of a crisis.
Herman van Rompuy:
"Every country should emerge victorious from negotiations" .
"Even if unity remains our strength, our diversity remains our wealth," he said, stressing the individuality of EU member states.
US President Barack Obama said the appointments would "strengthen the EU and enable it to be an even stronger partner to the United States".
"The United States has no stronger partner than Europe in advancing security and prosperity around the world," . Though wishes are flying away from around the globe, there are some scepticism surfacing because these little known guys may not be as powerful as the job itself possessed.
In an EU that prizes consensus, compromise and operates as a supranational coalition of different countries, interests, and political forces, Van Rompuy's talents for persuasion and conciliation look to be his prime qualifications for the job of chairing EU summits and trying to harmonise the EU agenda. His appointment frustrated those eager to show greater European muscle abroad by giving the job to a household name like Tony Blair. The criticism is that in an international crisis, Van Rompuy does not have the stature to stand alongside Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin, or Hu Jintao and that Europe will be relegated to the second division of international powers.
In his prime role as chair of EU summits, he is likely to be more the servant of European national leaders rather than their master, another factor in his success.
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