Socialists have 'natural claim' to new EU foreign post, says PES chief

Europe's Socialists have a "natural claim" to one of the top two new posts being created by the Lisbon treaty.

That is the view of former MEP Poul Nyrup Rasmussen who told this website the post of EU foreign policy chief should go to a member of the Socialist fold.

Speaking in Brussels on Monday, Rasmussen, who is president of the Party of European Socialists, said the party's current "focus" was in ensuring that the post goes to a Socialist politician.

He said, "At least four or five names have been mentioned and they are equally qualified to do the job but we have a natural claim to it."

The post, officially called "High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy," will be created if and when the Lisbon treaty is ratified by all member states.

The post, effectively replaces that currently occupied by Javier Solana. Whoever is chosen will also serve as a vice president of the commission.

Rasmussen said the "PES will be pressing for a Socialist to be chosen for this post" rather than that of president of the council, the other key post created by Lisbon.

Numerous candidates have been linked with the post, the most recent being UK foreign minister David Miliband.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Miliband is "being lined up" for the job if Tony Blair does not get the presidency post.

It quotes an EU official as saying, "It is a powerful post and he could really make something interesting of it."

Have your say...

Please enter your comments below.

Name

Your e-mail address

Listen to audio version

Please type in the letters or numbers shown above (case sensitive)