We have a President.
Nov. 21st, 2009 01:15 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sparkindarknessThat is, the EU has a President and a Foreign Affairs chief (at long last! Gods this has been a long time coming).
Our President is Herman Van Rompuy and Foreign Affairs Chief Baroness Catherine Ashton.
And the EU did say “who?” True, they’re not exactly household names.
I was dubious at first. Well, actually at first I was delighted that Tony Blair hasn’t got anywhere near the post - something I was dreading only a little less than the idea of Margaret Thatcher suddenly running for it (one moment, I just had a minor heart attack considering that). But on reflection I am actually very happy with the choices.
Neither is known for their extreme flash or charisma. This is good. I loathe charismatic politicians. Charismatic politicians lie and deceive. They give speeches and little substance. They promise the moon and tell you the sky is pink and drape wool heavily over your eyes while screwing things every which way. I don’t like charisma in office - it’s too easily used and too easily exploited.
Neither are divisive or giving to divisive foolishness or dramatic gestures. In the EU bloc there are 27 states - and growing. Flashy people, divisive people, people unwilling to listen will not help us and will not manage that well.
Further, they both have a reputation for, well, quite competence. I have a lot of respect for quiet competence. Van Rompuy seems to be credited as a capable economist (and reluctant politician)
Baroness Ashton has considerable achievements in the UK (and is very pro LGBT btw). She doesn’t have a lot of relevant experience - but she does look more than competent. I’m more doubtful about her than Van Rompuy, but on the whole am happy with both choices.
All in all, it could have been a lot worse. Which is usually the best you can say about politics.
Our President is Herman Van Rompuy and Foreign Affairs Chief Baroness Catherine Ashton.
And the EU did say “who?” True, they’re not exactly household names.
I was dubious at first. Well, actually at first I was delighted that Tony Blair hasn’t got anywhere near the post - something I was dreading only a little less than the idea of Margaret Thatcher suddenly running for it (one moment, I just had a minor heart attack considering that). But on reflection I am actually very happy with the choices.
Neither is known for their extreme flash or charisma. This is good. I loathe charismatic politicians. Charismatic politicians lie and deceive. They give speeches and little substance. They promise the moon and tell you the sky is pink and drape wool heavily over your eyes while screwing things every which way. I don’t like charisma in office - it’s too easily used and too easily exploited.
Neither are divisive or giving to divisive foolishness or dramatic gestures. In the EU bloc there are 27 states - and growing. Flashy people, divisive people, people unwilling to listen will not help us and will not manage that well.
Further, they both have a reputation for, well, quite competence. I have a lot of respect for quiet competence. Van Rompuy seems to be credited as a capable economist (and reluctant politician)
Baroness Ashton has considerable achievements in the UK (and is very pro LGBT btw). She doesn’t have a lot of relevant experience - but she does look more than competent. I’m more doubtful about her than Van Rompuy, but on the whole am happy with both choices.
All in all, it could have been a lot worse. Which is usually the best you can say about politics.