Main focus of Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Two captains for the EU

Spain's prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has taken up the six-month post of president of the Council of the European Union, and must now cooperate with Herman Van Rompuy, the president of the European Council. While both politicians look forward to working together, the press sees their differences as a danger for the EU.

Le Figaro - France

Spain took over the EU Council presidency at the start of the year. In the daily Le Figaro Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rogriguez Zapatero and the president of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy are upbeat about the coming year: "The Lisbon Treaty ... opens up a new stage for the European Union, for this unique project of coexistence. ... Spain has a strong European vocation, one it has repeatedly demonstrated in the course of the past years. With this new six-month term and a new treaty, Spain can and will once more affirm this role. As presidents of the European Council and of the government of the rotating presidency, we would like the application of the Lisbon Treaty to be as diligent and rigorous as possible. In a spirit of co‑operation, we will promote the EU's new institutional order so we can address and resolve the problems that concern us all." (04/01/2010)

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Corriere della Sera - Italy

The EU ship could have a hard time with two such contrasting politicians as Herman Van Rompuy and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero at its helm, the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera writes: "Herman Van Rompuy is ultra-Catholic, leader of the Christian Democrats, retires once or twice a year to a Belgian monastery, and prayed publicly at the side of King Albert II when he was prime minister. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is ultra-secular, leader of the Socialists, Spanish premier and the protagonist of diverse duels with the bishops of his country. The only time he enters a monastery is as a tourist and he has never been seen to pray at the side of King Juan Carlos. … They will be in good company, because the bridge of the ship is likely to be overcrowded. It must also accommodate the Portuguese politician and representative of the conservative EPP, EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso, and the British Labour baroness Catherine Ashton as EU foreign minister. In Brussels people are wondering how so many people can steer such a large vessel - and through such rough seas at that." (29/12/2009)

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Mladá fronta Dnes - Czech Republic

Can all go well with two cocks strutting their stuff in one farmyard? The liberal daily Mladá Fronta Dnes doubts it: "In reality one of them doesn't want to adjust to his new role and the other is concealing his frustration. At first glance the six-month presidency of the Spanish looks similar to that of the Czechs a year ago. But under the new treaty Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero no longer leads the other heads of state. … So far Van Rompuy and Zapatero have done unusual things. They have written joint newspaper articles about how the Union is supposed to work now and promise that they will work together wonderfully." (05/01/2010)

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Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - Germany

Spain's political and economic instability could jeopardise its EU Council presidency, warns the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: "Spain lacks a solid industrial footing and international competitiveness, and its education system is in a bad way. One third of Spaniards aged between 20 and 30 are unemployed. ... Yet the European treatment of delicate economic or social topics will have a positive effect back at home. For this reason Prime Minister Zapatero, who hopes that the dark clouds will disperse before his next election campaign in 2012, is counting on gaining international esteem by adopting a clear leadership role and stressing allegiances with his new 'friend' Obama. This may serve the EU and the Atlantic Alliance well. Spain's allies, however, will have to ascertain whether their interests correspond to Zapatero's on a number of controversial topics, such as the treatment of Latin American left-wing populists, the soft line on Cuba, the non-recognition of Kosovo and accelerated EU accession for Turkey and Serbia." (05/01/2010)

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