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Both Van Rompuy and Baroness Ashton are strong but colorless individuals, trained in economics which is what the European Union is all about — the incarnation of the quip “It’s the economy, stupid.” Van Rompuy is an economist, the son of a well-known professor of economics. He is conservative but not dogmatic and will probably have some influence on long-range EU economic policy though short-term European economic policy is decided within the European Commission, where 21 of the 27 commissioners come from conservative national parties. There is not much likelihood of a clash. Baroness Ashton also has a university economics degree and was chosen to give a “socialist” balance to the most visible posts. However, her year as Commissioner for Trade gave no signs of radical economic policies.
The tasks of the European triumvirate are crucial. They do not require high profile personalities, but they do require more dynamic leadership than has been seen in the past. There is now a slightly renewed membership in the European Parliament and some new faces among the 27 commissioners. Will this be enough to move the EU policy forward? In presenting his guidelines for the next EU Commission, José Manuel Barroso said, “For Europe, this is a moment of truth. Europe has to answer a decisive question. Do we want to lead, shaping globalisation on the basis of our values and or interests – or will we leave the initiative to others and accept an outcome shaped by them? The alternatives are clear. A stark choice has to be made. Either Europeans accept to face this challenge together or else we slide towards irrelevance.”
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