Word: blaire
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Then there's the fact that Britain has always stood apart from central E.U. policies such as the common currency. "The very candidacy of Mr. Blair is a slap in the face for Europe," says Philippe Moreau Defarges, European-affairs specialist for the French Institute of International Relations. "The U.K.'s habit of participating only in those E.U. projects it wants to be involved with" is a strike against a Blair presidency, he says. The Benelux countries - the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg - feel the same...
...lost for Blair. Here's one fulsome tribute: "Tony Blair has all the right credentials." Unfortunately, that endorsement comes from Italy's embattled leader Silvio Berlusconi. Another supporter is Ireland's former Premier, Bertie Ahern. "Tony's a good friend of mine, and I'd like to see him get [the job] if he really wants it. I'm positive that he does," says Ahern, adding, "Tony is not going to walk into this without a lot of stuff going on in the background. There will be games going on." (Read a Q&A with Bertie Ahern...
Indeed there will. France and Spain back Blair, at least for now. Angela Merkel, the leader of Europe's largest economy, remains enigmatic. Westminster insiders say Merkel will come through for Blair. A German government source is more nuanced. "The Chancellor worked well with [Blair] during the 2007 German E.U. presidency when the Lisbon Treaty was sealed. But of course, she worked well with others too." The presidential race isn't over until the E.U.'s undisputed heavyweight sings. With reporting by Bruce Crumley / Paris...
...Read "Why You'll Miss Tony Blair...
...pictures of Tony Blair...